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THE MINISTRY of Creative Economy emphasizes the importance of Intellectual Property (IP) protection and the utilization of digital technology for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). These measures are crucial for strengthening the competitiveness of local products while expanding their market reach internationally.
According to the Deputy Minister of Creative Economy, Irene Umar, said MSMEs must recognize the significance of IP protection if they wish to grow and expand into the global market.
“A brand that is not protected risks being used or claimed by other parties, which could lead to legal disputes. Therefore, for business owners, it is not enough to simply develop a product and a brand,” Irene stated recently.
In her keynote address, Irene stressed that the development of high-quality products and the creation of a strong brand must go hand-in-hand with legal certainty regarding intellectual assets. Without official protection, a brand or creative work risks being exploited by others without authorization—a scenario that could trigger legal disputes and jeopardize business sustainability.
Irene’s participation in this forum serves as an acknowledgment of the initiatives taken by Junior Chamber International (JCI) Batavia to foster networking, strategic partnerships, and market access for local entrepreneurs.
“To broaden the impact of its support, the Ministry of Creative Economy is encouraging cross-stakeholder collaboration—including synergy with the Ministry of Law—to help MSMEs understand and register their intellectual property. This collaboration ensures that the originality and identity of local products are backed by a solid legal foundation as businesses scale up,” she affirmed.
Beyond legal considerations, Irene identified limited market access as a tangible challenge that must be addressed collectively. The Ministry of Creative Economy remains committed to facilitating “business matching” between MSMEs and distributors, corporate partners, and potential buyers, with the goal of strengthening the position of local products within the global value chain.
Irene also encouraged business owners to leverage digital data analysis and the internet to map market trends and consumer behavior across various export destination countries.
She urged MSMEs (micro, small, and medium enterprises) to be proactive, consistent, and bold in taking concrete steps, rather than allowing themselves to be hindered by limitations in market access.
“We can utilize the internet to understand the needs and behaviors of potential consumers, and to identify countries or consumer segments that show interest in our products. By doing so, we can strengthen our networks and collaborations to expand our business reach,” Irene added.
Junior Chamber International (JCI) is a global federation of non-profit organizations for young people, young professionals, and entrepreneurs aged 18–40. As a local chapter of JCI Indonesia, JCI Batavia initiated the MSME Business Summit 2026 to connect business owners with a broader professional network.
Siegfried Listijosuputro, National President of JCI Indonesia, expressed his hope that the forum would yield sustainable benefits. “I hope that today’s summit will not only provide fresh insights but also lead to tangible partnerships, business innovations, and opportunities for Indonesian MSMEs to grow and penetrate the global market,” he said.
The Ministry of Creative Economy hopes that more Indonesian MSMEs will be able to build competitive brands, protect their intellectual property, and harness technology to expand their market reach.
“Synergy between the government, communities, and business networks is expected to create concrete collaboration opportunities, ensuring that local products not only thrive in the domestic market but are also better prepared to compete on the global stage,” concluded Irene Umar. [traveltext.id]
