The Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs wants Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the Mentawai Islands, West Sumatra (West Sumatra), to increase their regional superior products to balance marine tourism in the region which is very well known in the world. “Mentawai tourism is very famous in the world, especially marine tourism with its waves which are hunted by many surfers. However, strategic tourism has not been matched by superior regional products," said the Deputy Secretary for Micro Business, Ministry of Cooperatives Novieta during an e-commerce training in the Mentawai Islands, West Sumatra, through an official statement, Jakarta, Wednesday (20/4). He stated that some of the superior products in the Mentawai Islands are sago, taro, bananas, and marine products. However, he continued, these superior products have not been processed and promoted properly, so they have not become a tourist attraction. "It is hoped that MSME products will support Mentawai tourism," he said. Therefore, his party provides e-commerce training to MSME actors as a form of commitment to provide access to increase the capacity of micro-enterprises in Mentawai which is a 3T category area (Front, Remote and Disadvantaged). Also, providing support for poverty alleviation from the aspect of economic empowerment through training.
"We hope that this training can have an impact on improving the economy of micro-enterprises and also have a reciprocity for both raw material providers and processors, so that micro-enterprises and the community both benefit," said Novieta. In addition to the training program, it is said that there are other programs that can be accessed, such as assistance in obtaining a Business Identification Number (NIB) as well as business/home industry food product certification (PIRT), branding, halal, and MD distribution permits. On the same occasion, the Deputy Regent of the Mentawai Islands, Kortanius Sabeleake, ensured that his party will continue to fight so that the area is no longer classified as a poor area considering the huge tourism potential. "There are three regional superior products, sago, taro and bananas, but the problem is that the processing technology is still traditional, not yet developed and the consumers are still local people," he said.
