Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – PT HM Sampoerna Tbk (HMSP) supports the development of MSMEs for the export market. So it is hoped that the business turnover will be even greater.
Through the Sampoerna Entrepreneurship Training Center (SETC)under the umbrella of the “Sampoerna for Indonesia” (SUI) Sustainability Program, sent five of its fostered entrepreneurs to exhibit and market superior products in Wellness Food Japan 2023.
Wellness Food Japan 2023 is one of the largest trade exhibitions in Japan, which takes place at Tokyo Big Sight, 2-4 August 2023. The exhibition is attended by more than 600 participants, and is visited by more than 40,000 people every day.
The five MSMEs assisted by HM Sampoerna are excellent MSMEs whose products meet export requirements. The five SMEs are Bali Pure and Padma Herbal from Bali, Dede Satoe from Surabaya, Benua Coffee from Palembang, and Togato Coffee from Medan.
SETC has been preparing and equipping selected MSMEs to take part in Wellness Food Japan 2023 since last May. MSMEs that were dispatched received training and assistance related to packaging and regulations regarding the Japanese market.
SETC works together with the Company’s social responsibility partners, namely the Business & Export Development Organization (BEDO), to provide support for capacity development and markets that are suitable for each MSME. Participating in the exhibition is the right choice. Apart from that, of course, it can encourage SUI-SETC MSME connectivity with the appropriate market potential.
Market potential in Japan
Bali Pure Business Owner, I Ketut Sumayana said, the opportunity to participate in Wellness Food Japan 2023 was a very valuable experience. From this exhibition, he can explore opportunities to market his products in Japan.
Bali Pure carries a number of its superior products such as virgin coconut oil (VCO), soap, and massage oil, aka massage oil. According to him, there is a huge market potential for marketing Bali Pure products in Sakura Country.
“After seeing our products, visitors got testers, I also gave massages with Bali Pure massage oil. The visitors in Japan were very happy. In fact, some came again twice and they expressed interest in our products,” said Ketut in a statement written, Friday (11/8/2023).
Ketut said, in Japan there are potential buyers, such as spa product distributors. Not forgetting, Ketut gave several product samples. He said, after the exhibition was over, he would follow up on partner opportunities and establish communication with other potential buyers.
The same thing was expressed by the owner of the Sahang Mas business, Djono Darmaputera, who brought his superior product in the form of coffee with the “Benua” brand. As a result of this exhibition, said Djono, there are markets that can be explored and opportunities to find potential buyers. He will build relationships and communication with potential buyers.
“Who knows one day it may meet demand,” said Djono.
Meanwhile, the owner of UMKM Padma Herbal, Ni Putu Ellida Raiani revealed, one of the goals of participating in Wellness Food Japan 2023 is to open up business opportunities to market the herbal products they produce.
At this exhibition, Ellida brought a number of Padma Herbal’s superior products, including artisan herbal teas, various herbal instant drinks, ginger candies, and rosella candies. He admitted that he had met with several wholesalers and retailers.
“We will follow up a number of potential buyers who can indeed bring our products to be marketed in Japan. Hopefully there will be something suitable,” he said.
High enthusiasm for Indonesian products
The enthusiasm of visitors to Wellness Food Japan 2023 for MSME products exhibited at the SETC booth was very high. According to Ellida, visitors showed a keen interest in sweets and herbal teas.
Moreover, after learning that this product is produced in Bali. Apparently, Bali is very well known there, making it easier for him to promote Padma Herbal products.
“In Japan, we see that they (visitors) are quite interested in candies and herbal teas which taste lighter. Herbal teas, as far as I can see, are lighter and accepted by Japan more quickly. They were also surprised when they found out that rosella can be made into candies. ‘ said Elida.
Ketut told a similar story. He said that since the first day of the exhibition, the number of visitors was very high and beyond his imagination.
“You could say it was really crowded, beyond expectations. I thought it would be quiet, it turned out to be crowded. Here, the visitors came, asked in detail. Then, exchanged business cards and brochures. After coming from Japan, our task was to follow up and establish communication with them,” said Ketut.
In fact, just on the first day of the exhibition, hundreds of flyers and Bali Pure business cards were sold out. He hopes this enthusiasm will be a positive signal to open business cooperation in the future.
Not only for herbal and organic products, Djono also received positive responses from exhibition visitors in Japan for South Sumatra’s Semendo coffee. Its product, Kopi Continent, offers a very distinctive coffee taste. He was happy and really appreciated the Wellness Food Japan 2023 exhibition, which became a bridge for him to introduce regional coffee products in Indonesia.
What to bring home from Japan?
These MSME players admitted that they were happy, and did not expect that the products they produced could be chosen by SETC to take part in Wellness Food Japan 2023. This opportunity was not wasted either.
Three days following the exhibition, they brought “souvenirs” to be brought back to Indonesia. Apart from the opportunity to explore business with a number of potential buyers, there are other things that are considered to be provisions for developing their business in the country.
Ellida, for example, said that from this exhibition, she learned a lot about how business people in Japan promote their products.
“I myself learned how to deliver products. We also went around to see how business people in Japan do exhibitions, and this is valuable input,” said Ellida.
Another with Djono. He said he was impressed with the work ethic of the Japanese people. It can also be seen in the exhibition when interacting. This experience is a good thing that he will bring and apply when he returns to Indonesia.
Almost the same impression was also expressed by Ketut. According to him, learning to be developed in Bali is very much.
“For example, in arranging booths, we usually keep things simple. In Japan, they are very optimal. They decorate and arrange them nicely so that they are comfortable and attract visitors,” said Ketut.
He also learned how to properly serve the visitors who came to the booth. Another thing, about product packaging with Japanese standards.
Knowing this, MSME players in Indonesia can adjust the packaging standards that apply in Japan to increase their chances of entering the country’s market.
“We can bring a lot of things home from Japan. Hopefully after the follow-up later, with the cooperation and support of SETC we can get buyers,” continued Ketut.
Ketut also hopes that this Wellness Food Japan 2023 experience will not be the first and not the last. He hopes this good opportunity will come again, because it can show the existence of Indonesian MSMEs at the global level.
[Gambas:Video CNBC]
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