Saturday, 24 October 2026
MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM - The Acting Regional Secretary of North Sumatra Province, Timur Tumanggor, has urged micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to make strategic use of digitalisation to expand their market reach, improve operational efficiency and strengthen their competitiveness in both domestic and international markets. He stressed that adopting digital technologies must go hand in hand with improvements in product quality, business legal compliance, packaging and customer service to ensure sustainable growth.
Timur made the remarks while opening the Business Capacity Development Training (Pelatihan Pengembangan Kapasitas Usaha, PKU) AKBAR organised by Permodalan Nasional Madani (PNM)'s Medan branch. The event took place at the Raja Inal Siregar Hall at the North Sumatra Provincial Governor's Office, Jalan Pangeran Diponegoro No. 30, Medan, on Friday, 16 October 2026."One of the major opportunities we must seize is digitalisation. Through social media, online marketplaces, digital payment methods and technology-assisted bookkeeping, we can expand our market reach, attract new customers, improve efficiency and manage our businesses more professionally," he said.
According to Timur, digitalisation enables MSMEs to introduce their products to a wider customer base without being constrained by the geographical limitations of traditional distribution channels. Business owners can use social media to build their brands, reach new buyers through online marketplaces, and manage transactions more systematically through digital payment platforms and technology-assisted bookkeeping.These figures demonstrate the significant contribution MSMEs make to household livelihoods, job creation and family welfare. Micro, small and medium-sized businesses also operate across a wide range of sectors, including trade, food and beverage services, manufacturing, services, transport and warehousing.
Many MSME owners start their businesses from home, often with limited capital, basic equipment and few resources. Despite the challenges they face, these enterprises have considerable growth potential if they can access knowledge, business guidance, financing and wider markets.Timur emphasised that strengthening entrepreneurial skills is essential to helping MSMEs expand their operations. The ability to manage a business professionally must develop alongside the adoption of digital technologies so that entrepreneurs can make the most of the opportunities available to them.
"Technology, however, must be accompanied by good product quality. Products must maintain consistent standards, have attractive packaging, provide clear information, meet the necessary legal requirements and offer services that build consumer confidence. This will enable products made by North Sumatran MSMEs to gain recognition not only in their immediate communities but also in wider markets, both nationally and internationally," he said.
Timur stressed that developing entrepreneurial capabilities requires more than simply imparting knowledge. Business owners must put what they learn into practice, improve their management systems, raise product quality, understand market needs more thoroughly and make better-informed business decisions.
The training's theme, "From Learning to Action, from Business to the Next Level", serves as a reminder that knowledge must translate into tangible improvements in business management. By enhancing their skills and receiving continuous guidance, MSME owners can become better prepared for changing market conditions and intensifying competition."I hope this event will provide MSME owners with a practical step towards building their confidence, adapting to change, pursuing innovation and continuously improving the quality of their businesses. Let us prove that knowledge leads to action, guidance fosters independence, and well-managed businesses can progress to the next stage of development and become a driving force in North Sumatra's economy," he said.
His message highlighted the importance of developing MSMEs that can do more than simply sustain their operations and are capable of pursuing further growth. Entrepreneurs need to understand changing consumer behaviour, keep pace with technological developments, maintain consistent product quality and earn their customers' trust.Better business management can help MSMEs increase productivity, expand their distribution networks and create new jobs. These improvements can also strengthen their contribution to economic growth across North Sumatra Province.
Wazir said businesses needed sufficient financial resources to develop. MSMEs must use available financing strategically and efficiently to expand production capacity, improve product quality and broaden their market reach.
Around 150 MSME owners attended this year's PKU AKBAR event to strengthen their entrepreneurial skills and improve their business management capabilities. The training formed part of broader efforts to prepare businesses for competition and help them take advantage of available market opportunities.In addition to financing, Wazir highlighted the importance of social capital, including networks, business partnerships and entrepreneur communities. By exchanging ideas and experiences with other MSME owners, participants can share knowledge, establish partnerships and learn business strategies suited to their respective operational needs.
PNM is also working to improve access to larger markets and open up export opportunities. These initiatives are intended to help MSMEs sell their products to consumers beyond their home regions and reach international markets."PNM also provides MSME owners with broader access to markets, including export opportunities. To date, 1,466 training sessions have been delivered to 33,100 PNM customers. The government, financial institutions, the business sector and society must work together to give MSMEs greater opportunities to grow, create jobs and improve family welfare," he said in closing.
Collaboration between the government, financial institutions, businesses and the wider community is a crucial factor in strengthening the MSME ecosystem. Support must encompass the development of professional and entrepreneurial skills, access to financing, the adoption of digital technologies, stronger business networks and entry into additional markets.Through such cooperation, MSMEs in North Sumatra can do more than adapt to economic changes. They can expand their operations, reach more customers and compete in both domestic and international markets. Digitalisation, combined with better product quality and continuous business guidance, can make an important contribution to building independent, productive and internationally competitive MSMEs. (IDNC)
REPORTER: Ahmad Zulfikar | EDITOR: Fik Sagala
