Surakarta, 16 August 2023. PT XL Axiata Tbk (XL Axiata) through its women's empowerment program, Sisternet, is committed to continuing to build a digital ecosystem for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Indonesia. This commitment was conveyed directly at the workshop "Accelerating the Digital Transformation of Cooperatives and MSMEs - Road to Indonesia Start-up Ecosystem Summit (ISES) 2023" in Solo, last week.
Through the Sisternet program, XL Axiata continues to build innovation and open up digital opportunities for MSMEs, especially women-owned MSMEs. The company will continue to encourage capacity building for women-owned MSMEs through the use of digital technology to boost productivity and at the same time advance their business. Sisternet's participation has received recognition from international forums such as the G20, G20 EMPOWER, W20, The UN Women 2020 Asia Pacific WEP's Award, to APEC. Sisternet is recognized as one of the practices of women's empowerment programs that have had a positive impact.
XL Axiata's Chief Corporate Affairs, Marwan O Basir, stated that "Indonesia has produced many resilient MSMEs from time to time. However, there are still many MSME actors who do not understand the importance of using technology in building their businesses. We need to assist and facilitate them, both in terms of technology and the incubation program from the experts.”
"To be able to compete with MSMEs from other countries, we must produce quality MSMEs. Some are able to adapt quickly and take advantage of existing opportunities. From these smart actors, we believe that we will produce products that surely have high quality. We believe that digital transformation can open even greater opportunities for MSMEs in various regions. Of course, cross-sectoral collaboration is needed to accelerate the growth of MSMEs, "explained Marwan further.
Starting in 2015, Sisternet has organized various programs to use digital technology to empower women. One of them has held more than 300 self-development classes for women. In fact, currently, there are more than 500 thousand Indonesian women who have been digitized through Sisternet, more than 3,000 of whom are fostered by Sisternet.
There is a 30% increase in product production productivity, 75% in using digital marketing, and a 13% increase in turnover for women small business owners after they join Sisternet's guidance, and regularly join educational classes on the use of digital tools that have been prepared.
The information presented is not only about business development materials but also discusses the daily life of women with their families as well as inspiring stories from women who have succeeded in their businesses. Sisternet information and excitement can also be found on social media via YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter platforms.
Sisternet also comes in the form of an application that includes many features, such as educational articles, various webinars with interesting topics, educational forums through smart discussions, Sister's shop which is a promotional slot for female MSMEs assisted by Sisternet, as well as free web banners that can be used for promotion.
Road to ISES 2023 which was held on Friday, 11 August 2023 is a program launched by the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs, together with the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Kemenkomarves) in order to celebrate National MSMEs Day 2023. A talk show was also held which presented four ministers namely Minister of Trade, Zulkifli Hasan, Minister of Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises, Teten Masduki, Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno, and Minister of Communication and Informatics of the Republic of Indonesia, Budi Arie Setiadi. Also present were the Mayor of Surakarta, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, and the Presidential Special Staff, Putri Tanjung.
Yuliana Aqni, one of Sisternet's MSME from Solo, was also present to promote and show her brand "Markonah" fashion products firsthand. This brand has grown rapidly through the use of a series of Sisternet programs, including through education and the provision of promotion access.
On this occasion, the Ministers explained the government's readiness to build an ecosystem that supports the development of MSMEs and start-ups, including adding domestic MSMEs. Digital transformation in MSMEs can open up business opportunities and employment opportunities. The four ministers agreed that the creation of quality, innovative, and technologically oriented start-ups would accelerate Indonesia in realizing itself as a developed country. For this reason, the government continues to push Indonesia's digital economic potential towards a developed country in 2045.