Exports from the Banten region to a number of Asian, European, and American countries were able to boost Banten's economic growth, from negative to positive. At least in the third quarter of 2021, it will grow to 4.62 percent. Banten's export value in October 2021 was valued at 1,117.69 million USD. The value of non-oil and gas exports was 1,113.26 million USD, the largest contributor of which was footwear valued at 203.38 million USD. Then the largest non-oil export destination country to America, worth 193.98 million USD.
"With the increase in export value, it turns out to increase the pace of the Banten economy, which was negative to positive. That's why I'm still fierce to spur exports. This is a synergy, it turns out that the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Trade, Ministry of Finance through customs are boosting exports," said Head of the Banten Industry and Trade Agency, Babar Suharso, via his cellphone, Wednesday (12/22/2021). Babar admitted that he helped Small and Medium Industries (IKM) and MSMEs to penetrate the export market, through training and export coaching programs that were carried out from March to December 2021. There were 30 IKM and MSMEs who participated in the training, as a result, there were 15 participants who could penetrate the export market share.
The small business actors were given training in managing export document permits until they were met with buyers. One of them is a small business that produces cocoa powder and oil, which has penetrated into a dozen countries. “It's not just theory, it's directly met with foreign buyers, it's facilitated. Guided by how to deal with buyers, how to negotiate, how to make transactions, all kinds of guaranteed and safe payment methods, accompanied by the Ministry of Trade and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs," he explained. Disperindag Banten asked business actors not to use middlemen to apply for export permits. They can come to the Disperindag Banten as well as districts and cities to take care of import-export documents.
Babar hopes that customs and related institutions can continue to facilitate the processing of import-export permits for small business actors. Because it has been proven to be able to improve the regional and national economy, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. For his struggle to elevate small business actors into the world of exports and improve the economy, the Banten Industry and Trade Agency was awarded the Kaban Award from the Banten Customs and Excise Office. "We want it if there are MSMEs who want to export, managing export documents will be made easier. I cut this brokering, it must be the duty of the service. There are many export documents, there are customs, notification of export goods. Then the agricultural quarantine center, the fishery quarantine center, there is another certificate of origin. The important thing is that Banten's export value will increase, it will increase," he explained.
