UNS — The Innovative Governance Research Group (RG) of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta organized an event to provide counseling on the utilization of e-catalogs for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Solo City . The activity was held at Loji Hotel Solo on Thursday (22/6/2023).
The Head of Community Service Implementation of RG Innovative Governance FISIP UNS, Dr. Kristina Setyowati, M. Si., stated that this activity is a form of community service aimed at enhancing awareness and understanding of MSMEs regarding the utilization of e-catalogs in buying and selling activities. “RG Innovative Governance FISIP UNS collaborates with the Surakarta Office of Cooperatives, SMEs, Industry and Trade (Dinkopukmperindag) as well as the Solo MSME Community (PUS),” Dr. Kristina explained.
The Head of Surakarta Office of Cooperatives, SMEs, Industry and Trade, Wahyu Kristina, shared information about the condition of MSMEs in Surakarta and emphasized the importance of utilizing e-catalogs for MSMEs. The closing remarks were delivered by the Chairman of Solo MSME Community, Iman Buhairi Santoso.
Before proceeding to the material presentation session, the participants of the community service were given time to fill out a questionnaire prepared by the service team to assess the level of knowledge among the attending MSME actors regarding e-catalogs. The event was attended by approximately 20 MSME actors and featured two source speakers: Septyanto Galan Prakoso, S. I. P., M. Sc., a lecturer in the International Relation Study Program FISIP UNS, and Uniek Lukito, SE, AKT, the Director of CV. Daya Elang Utama.
The first topic was delivered by Septyanto Galan Prakoso, S. I. P., M. Sc. He discussed the importance of utilizing e-catalogs and provided information on creating more attractive non-Goods Procurement Policy Institute (LKPP) e-catalogs using Canva. The next topic was presented by Uniek Lukito, S. E., AKT., as an e-catalog practitioner from LKPP, who shared best practices for utilizing e-catalogs through the website https://e-katalog.lkpp.go.id/website-website.
“The use of e-catalogs plays a significant role in the economic activities of MSME actors. E-catalog, in essence, is a digital document created to facilitate potential customers interactively learning about a product or service,” Uniek Lukito explained.
Therefore, the government, through the Goods Procurement Policy Institute (LKPP), developed e-catalogs to provide a wide range of products from various commodities needed by the government. However, this initiative is still not widely recognized by the public, especially among MSME actors. The utilization of e-catalogs, both from LKPP and non-LKPP sources, is essential for MSMEs in Surakarta to become a promotional medium for introducing their products to a wider audience, thus stimulating increased revenue.
Consequently, providing counseling on the utilization of e-catalogs is one of the solutions to ensure that MSME actors are more aware of the existence of e-catalogs and can make use of them. The event concluded with a discussion and Q&A session regarding e-catalogs with the attending MSME actors. Humas UNS