Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Mojokerto City have the opportunity to export their products to the Federal Republic of Nigeria in West Africa. The craft of batik is particularly promising as the Republic of Nigeria currently lacks the capability to produce high-quality textile materials. This was conveyed by the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Usra Hendra Harahap, after the SME audience from Mojokerto City with the Indonesian Ambassador to Nigeria at the Sabha Mandala Madya Pendopo, Mojokerto City Government. The retired senior officer of the Indonesian Air Force explained that the fabric would be made in Indonesia by artisans, but the motifs would represent African ethnicity. This information was conveyed to batik craftsmen in Mojokerto City who attended the audience with the Indonesian Ambassador to Nigeria.
However, the Indonesian Ambassador will act as a bridge between the two parties to find a common ground. According to him, to anticipate competition from other countries, there must be trust, quality, and price. Because if the price is good but the market is too high, the product will not sell. Usra explained that his goal in coming to Mojokerto City is because Indonesia wants cooperation with the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the economic field. Thus, he needs to introduce Indonesian products to Nigeria, from the highest level to SME products. "All of this is very interesting to Africans because Africans feel they have an emotional relationship with Indonesia. In 1955, there was the Asia-Africa Conference, so it needs to be complemented in building their respective nations," he emphasized. Meanwhile, the Secretary of Mojokerto City, Gaguk Tri Prasetyo, stated that there are around 566 SMEs engaged in production in Mojokerto City. Starting from footwear, batik, crafts, to food and beverages. In the early months of 2020, Mojokerto City experienced an economic shock due to the Covid-19 pandemic. With all the spirit and togetherness of the people of Mojokerto City, including SME actors, economic growth in Mojokerto City has started to improve. Currently, it has returned to normal, reaching 5.6%, slightly higher than the condition before Covid-19. The Mojokerto City Government has implemented various efforts to stimulate the economy in Mojokerto City directly related to SMEs in Mojokerto City. One of them is by implementing the 3P, namely training, mentoring, and providing financial assistance in the form of entrepreneurial incubation.
Source: https://beritajatim.com/advertorial/batik-kota-mojokerto-berpeluang-tembus-pasar-afrika/
