(SOLO) Javanology Science and Technology Center (PUI) UNS held an International Talk show – Javanology Virtual Exhibition 2021 (JVE’21) with the theme “Nunggak Semi: Greater Solo SMEs Stretch After the Pandemic”. The form of this activity is a virtual talk show and exhibition which will be held on Tuesday, September 14, 2021, virtually online. This activity aims to bring together government, academia, risk capital, public entrepreneurship, and corporations from various countries, of course, to regenerate MSMEs in Soloraya after the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as encourage local products to penetrate the international market.
JVE’21 was attended virtually by Ambassadors and Consul Generals in 6 representative countries, the World Java Diaspora Network in Europe, America, Asia, Africa, and Australia; Javanese Youth Global Networks; Lecturers and academics, S1, S2, and S3 students; representatives of 27 Soloraya SMEs, as well as people from various circles.
The Javanologi Virtual Exhibition 2021 begins with a welcoming speech by Gibran Rakabuming Raka (Mayor of Surakarta). Gibran said that the city of Solo has great potential in developing MSMEs in the field of Javanese culture, ranging from culinary, tourism, and wellness tourism to traditional products. In supporting the development of the potential of MSMEs, a strategy for increasing the expansion of partnership business networks is needed that is beneficial and profitable for MSME actors.
The Javanology Virtual Exhibition 2021 was officially opened by the Chancellor of Sebelas Maret University (UNS), Prof. Dr. Jamal Wiwoho, SH., M. Hum. The Chancellor said that in dealing with the COVID-19 situation, a simultaneous and synergistic effort needed to be made to increase the interconnection of the capacity and capability of culture-based MSME actors. Improving the quality and quantity of MSME actors can make a real contribution, not only to growth but also to resilience in restoring the national economy. Sebelas Maret University looks forward to encouraging the growth of Javanology’s Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (UMKM) partners who produce various superior cultural works in Solo Raya. As an intra-campus cultural institution that has a supply innovator role, Sebelas Maret University, and PUI Javanologi actively seek to establish synergy with MSME partners in Solo Raya through service and mentoring programs so as to increase competitiveness and competence, as well as become a liaison with international networks.
At the JVE’21 event, various superior work products were displayed through a short video display. The MSME products displayed included Copper Ancestor, Batik n Derbolo Kliwonan, Dharma Budaya, Wedang Uwuh Java Drink, Blangkon Solo Craftsman KSA Agung T.W., Chocotin, Lurik Rachmad, Djamoe Bude, Galeri Panji, and 18 other SMEs in Solo Raya.
The event was continued with an International talk show which presented the Ambassador, Consul General, Attaché, Ad Interim Chargé d’Affaires (KUAI), and the Coordinator of Economic Functions from 6 countries, the speakers included Mr. Salman Al Farisi as the Indonesian Ambassador to South Africa, Julang Pujianto as the Ambassador. The Head of the Republic of Indonesia for Suriname, Deny W. Kurnia as the Indonesian Consul General in Shanghai, Hendra Satya Pramana as the Indonesian Consul General in Noumea New Caledonia, and Mochammad Rizky Safary as the Ad Interim Charge d’Affaires of the Indonesian Embassy in New Delhi India, Sabbat CJ. Sirait as Trade Attache of the Indonesian Embassy in The Hague, and Winardi H. Lucky as the Coordinator of the Economic Function (KF) of the Indonesian Embassy in The Hague, Netherlands.
In the talk show session, the speakers conveyed information related to the condition of each country’s delegation after Covid-19, its impact on economic conditions, and opportunities for Indonesian MSMEs, especially Solo Raya, to be able to penetrate the market in that country.
“Regarding opportunities, of course, because there are similarities in ethnic backgrounds and cultural similarities, this makes Indonesia’s opportunity very big. Batik, herbal products, and instant spices have great opportunities to penetrate the Suriname market,” said the Indonesian Ambassador to Suriname, Julang Pujianto.
Not only Suriname, the markets of South Africa, the Netherlands, India, China, and New Caledonia also have relatively large potential for Indonesian MSME players. Batik products, food and beverages, and herbs can be superior products for export to these countries.
However, the Indonesian Ambassador to South Africa, Salman Al Farisy, appealed to local MSMEs to pay attention to the tastes of the South African market. In line with Salman, the Indonesian Consul General in Shanghai also added that in order to enter the Chinese market, MSME players need to create unique, high-quality, and non-competitive products. Then, Winardi H. Lucky also reminded MSME actors about production capacity, where this will affect the sustainability of the product export activities carried out.
The International Talk show session ended with a session explaining the conclusions and recommendations presented by the Head of PUI Javanology UNS, Prof. Sahid Teguh Widodo, M. Hum., Ph.D. Prof. Sahid said that culture made a big contribution to developing Indonesia in the future. “It is important to follow up the talk show in the following series periodically in the future with actual and solution themes for the development of MSMEs that continue to grow after the pandemic,” added Prof. Shahid.
The International Talk show – Javanologi Virtual Exhibition 2021 ended with a scholarship presentation session for foreign students delivered by the Head of International Cooperation and International Services, Rino Ardhian Nugroho, Ph.D.
Public Relations and Media Publication Division
PUI Javanology Study of Javanese Tradition
sebelas Maret University
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