Jakarta, August 27, 2025 - The trade sector has become one of the main pillars of Indonesia's economy. Given the long-lasting prospects of the trade sector, the Department of Industry of Riau Islands Province, in collaboration with Dian Nusantara University (UNDIRA), successfully organized an education program on the Use and Marketing of Domestic Products for Fiscal Year 2025 on August 21st in Batam City.

Several parties were involved in this seminar, including the Head of the Department of Industry and Trade of Riau Islands Province, Mr. Novianto, S.E., M.Si., together with the Deputy Chairman of the Riau Islands Provincial Regional Representative Council (DPRD), Mr. Dr. T. Afrizal Dachlan, M.M., and the Secretary of the Department of Industry and Trade of Riau Islands Province, Mr. Fansuri, S.T., M.H.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Novianto emphasized that marketing digitalization is the best step in the downstream development of MSMEs in Indonesia.

"This Online MSME Partnership Facilitation activity is part of our commitment to support the advancement of MSMEs as the main pillar of the regional economy. I hope MSME players will utilize digital technology in their marketing strategies, without abandoning conventional methods, so that MSME products become increasingly competitive," he said.

Similar sentiments were also expressed by the Deputy Chairman II of the Riau Islands Provincial DPRD, Mr. Afrizal Dachlan. He expressed appreciation for the successful implementation of the socialization event.

"The Riau Islands DPRD is committed to supporting policies that advance MSMEs. With digital partnerships, local products can reach national and even international markets," he said.

Mr. Fansuri, as Secretary of the Department of Industry and Trade of Riau Islands Province, stated that the existence of MSME digitalization programs can advance Indonesia's economy.

"As the Budget User Authority, we ensure that every program implemented has a real impact. Through this activity, we want to see MSMEs truly helped, both in terms of capacity building and market access," he said.

In this activity, as a form of university care for the community's economy and realization of the Tri Dharma of Higher Education program - namely the involvement of educational institutions in long-term community competency development - Dian Nusantara University (UNDIRA) was present to provide market share education to MSMEs in the Riau Islands.

Mr. Eriklex Donald Sahusilawane, S.E., M.M., as Director of Innovation and Business Development at UNDIRA, presented various expositions regarding the importance of market research and branding for MSMEs.

"Strong branding and proper market research will be the key for MSMEs to survive in the digital era. Without that, products will only be known momentarily without sustainability," he said.

Meanwhile, Muhamad Al Faruq Abdullah, S.Kom., MM., Head of the Digital Marketing Center of the Innovation and Business Development Directorate, provided direct training in the form of logo and poster design practice using Canva, video editing with CapCut, and marketing strategies through social media. He also guided MSMEs until they could register as sellers on the Shopee marketplace.

"We want MSME players to not only understand theory but also be able to practice directly. Starting from visual design, content creation, to being truly ready to sell in online marketplaces," he said.

This activity was welcomed with high enthusiasm by MSME players in the Riau Islands who are eager to develop their businesses in the digital realm. Over three days, participants not only gained theoretical knowledge but also practical experience in creating digital content, conducting social media promotions, and registering their products on online marketplaces.

Moreover, this activity also opened partnership opportunities between MSME players and various parties, including government, business world, and digital platforms. Such collaboration is believed to strengthen the MSME ecosystem so that they not only survive but also grow to become the main drivers of the regional economy.

Great hopes are placed that MSMEs in the Riau Islands will not merely become trend followers, but be able to create new trends (trendsetters) that give strong identity to local products. With innovation, creativity, and courage to adapt, Riau Islands MSMEs have great opportunities to penetrate national and even international markets.

As stated by one of the MSME participants from Tanjungpinang City:

"This training really opened our insights. I not only learned how to market products online but was also directly guided to create content and register on marketplaces. My hope is that Riau Islands MSMEs can become more advanced and widely known."