REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BANDUNG -- The Bandung City Administration in West Java Province through the Communications and Informatics Office provides 1,000 free domains for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The program was in line with the government's program through the Ministry of Communication and Information which provides free domain for educational foundations, community and entrepreneurs, the Head of Bandung Communication and Informatics Office, Ahyani Raksanagara, said here on Monday.
Ahyani explained that these free website are provided for people who have MSMEs, adding that many new MSMEs went bankrupt before they grew due to lack of media promotion for their products.
The MSMEs that want to get a free domain have to fill out a form, bring their products to be photographed, and verify their identities.
"They have to be serious to show their best products. There is a form that should be filled through google application or offline. There will be a facilitator who will verify the MSMEs' identification and notify it to their email," she explained.
The city administration also provides direct training for those who cannot operate a website. The training will also include how to surf in cyberspace, promote their products, and market them online.
"We are preparing a display window for MSMEs. We facilitate them to have their own online storefronts," she said.
Ahyani hoped the free domain could help the MSMEs develop their businesses, especially those who do business in Bandung which is famous for its creative industry.
A report of the International Finance Corporation from the World Bank Group published in 2016 identified the role of the MSME sector in Indonesia as pivotal to promoting growth, creating jobs, and alleviating poverty.
This is because MSMEs account for 99 percent of all enterprises, employ 89 percent of the private sector's workforce, and contribute 57 percent to the country's GDP, and therefore, in recent years, they are the main drivers of reducing poverty and rising incomes.
Ikuti Whatsapp Channel Republika
