Technical Assistance for SME (small-medium enterprise) Actors of Bogor Town Thursday, February 12, 2015

Faculty of Economics and Management, Bogor Agricultural University (FEM-IPB) in collaboration with the Services of Cooperatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises of Bogor Town held "International Trade Technical Assistance for Small and Medium Enterprises to face the Asean Economic Community (AEC) in 2015" on Wednesday (11/2). The activity, held in IPB International Convention Center (IICC) Bogor, was officially opened by the Deputy Mayor of Bogor, Ir Usmar Hariman, MM.

In his speech, Deputy Mayor said that at present there are about more than 11 thousand of SMEs in Bogor, and has absorbed a lot of manpower. He is convinced that the methods introduced by the speakers in this activity can initiate initiatives in addressing the upcoming AEC. For this, he hopes this activity can make SMEs in Bogor agents of change in reducing poverty, bring welfare to Bogor people, and reinforce the national economy.

Earlier, Vice Dean of Academic and Student Affairs, FEM-IPB, Dr. Lukman M Baga, said AEC needs to be addressed in the best possible way. According to him, AEC is indeed needed. "For example the culinary diversity of this nation can be a potentially tremendous market  in AEC," he said. 

Meanwhile, Head of the Management Department of FEM IPB, Dr. Mukhamad Najib said FEM IPB takes a great concern over SMEs. He said, last year in Garut regency of West Java, FEM IPB mobilized students in the Lecture Program of Professional Work to assist SMEs with technical issues, such as bookkeeping, administration as well as online marketing. According to him, this has proved to increase turnover.

"This first stage of technical assistance involves 30 participants of SMEs Bogor, which is expected to be a pilot project for SMEs ‘to play’ in the international arena," said Dr. Mukhamad Najib.

This technical assistance invited two international trade experts, namely Dr Ma’mun Sarma and Head of Services of Cooperatives and SMEs of Bogor Town, Yuda Hidayat, SH. (Mtd)