In order to improve Islamic financial literacy, the Central Leadership Council of the Islamic Economists Association (DPP IAEI) in collaboration with the West Kalimantan IAEI Regional Leadership Council (DPW) and IAIN Pontianak Commissariat held a National Seminar on Islamic Economics (SENSEI) with the theme "Strengthening MSMEs After the Covid-19 Pandemic Towards Economic Independence" on Tuesday (31/5), in a hybrid manner at Orchardz Hotel A Yani, Pontianak.
This routine event began with remarks from Dr H. Bustami, M.Si. as Chairman of DPW IAEI West Kalimantan. He said that MSMEs are businesses that can support the Indonesian macro and micro economy which can have an influence on other sectors in Indonesia.
The next speech was delivered by Drs. H. Ria Norsan, MM, MH. as the Deputy Governor of West Kalimantan who said that the economic growth of West Kalimantan in 2022 was supported by the provincial government's support for MSMEs through the establishment of the BelaOK (West Kalimantan Online Shopping) application as a forum for MSMEs to develop their business.
Muhamad Fajrin Rasyid, Chairperson of the Social Entrepreneurship Development and Community Empowerment Division, DPP IAEI delivered his keynote speech, which explained that the pandemic accelerated the digitalisation process, so that the main strategy for developing Indonesia's Islamic economy is focused on financing for MSMEs through digitalisation so that data is easily obtained whether these MSMEs are worthy of financing or not.
The focus in developing MSMEs can be emphasised in several sectors; First, the development of superior products that encourage the birth of products from MSME or CBO businesses based on the characteristics and potential in their respective regions. Second, providing assistance, training and incubation for business actors in the community in managing their businesses/products better (product planning, packaging, business management etc.). Third, provide information on marketing and access to financing that can assist in marketing both online and offline so that community products rotate and guidance on access to appropriate financing. Fourth, assisting in scaling up to encourage superior products to penetrate the national and export markets with more professional business management.
"The digital economy, including the Islamic economy, is a very big thing and has enormous potential, it's just a matter of how we can work together and collaborate in utilising this market," Muhamad Fajrin Rasyid, Chairman of the Social Entrepreneurship Development and Community Empowerment Division, DPP IAEI.
