Indonesian SME products must continue to enter Middle East market

It is hoped that Indonesian entrepreneurs, especially SMEs, will have more opportunities to fulfill the Middle East market, so that more local products will go international

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesian products, especially those produced by small and medium enterprises (SMEs), must continue to penetrate the Middle East market, especially the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan has said.

He made the statement during a visit to the LuLu Group International office and retail chain LuLu Hypermarket in Abu Dhabi, the UAE, on Thursday (June 30, 2022).

“It is hoped that Indonesian entrepreneurs, especially SMEs, will have more opportunities to fulfill the Middle East market, so that more local products will go international,” he said in a written statement released here on Saturday.

According to the trade minister, the role of the LuLu Group International network, especially the Lulu Hypermarket, has been very strategic in helping Indonesian SME products enter the UAE market.

Therefore, Hasan said he also expects facilitation and assistance from LuLu Hypermarket to Indonesian SMEs for meeting the UAE market’s requirements.

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During the 2019–2020 period, Indonesia’s exports to the United Arab Emirates through the Lulu Hypermarket reached US$7.5 million.

Some Indonesian export products that have entered the LuLu Hypermarket retail network are clothing products, fresh fruits, paper, tableware and kitchen utensils, shrimp, and chocolate.

Earlier, the Trade Ministry had established promotional cooperation with LuLu Group International as stated in a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at the closing of the 2020 Dubai Expo in March 2022.

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The signing of the MoU was a part of the closing activities of the Indonesia Pavilion at the 2020 Dubai Expo, which was held for six months.

For implementing the MoU, the Trade Ministry explored hybrid business agreements with five business lines owned by LuLu Group—home decoration products, garments, fruits, daily necessities, and household appliances.

“LuLu Hypermarket can provide technical guidance and promotion for Indonesian business actors, especially SMEs. In addition, it can provide detailed information related to product needs in the UAE market including labeling, packaging, distribution, and market segmentation,” Hasan explained.

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