Batam to facilitate SMEs export products to Singapore

The administration of Riau Islands city of Batam will facilitate the export of products manufactured by the Indonesian Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to Singapore, an official has stated.

“We are trying to facilitate (the export of products), because the products manufactured by the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises are being exported to some neighboring countries, including Malaysia and Singapore,” head of the Batam office of the Community Empowerment, Cooperatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), Pebrialin, said here on Monday.

This October, the Batams administration will consult the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore to explore the market in order to facilitate the export of the SMEs products to Singapore, he added.

As per a research undertaken by the local administration, many SMEs have shipped their products to Singapore. Unfortunately, the volumes are limited.

According to Pebrialin, Singapore’s decision to replace the trademarks was detrimental to the Indonesian producers, because they cannot control the market directly.

In addition, the manufacturers also face difficulty in developing their business, because they become dependent on the trademark of Singapore.

The Community Empowerment, Cooperatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) will also help the SMEs meet the norms applicable in Singapore and Malaysia, so that their products can be freely distributed in the market, Pebrialin added.