Alibaba reaches out to Indonesian SMEs through its Alibaba Global Course

• Aims to help local SMEs adopt technology
• Logistics and payment systems remain a challenge

ALIBABA Group continues its mission to encourage global business transformation in the digital era by holding the Alibaba Global Course (AGC) in Indonesia.

Approximately 1,000 small and medium enterprise (SME) owners participated in the course which aims to improve the ability of SMEs to understand the e-commerce industry.

Speakers came from Taobao University and also included pioneers of the domestic digital economy such as Tokopedia, Lazada Indonesia, UCWeb, and Alibaba.com.

“We need to be more proactive and adaptive to change. Other than the government’s strategic move to support the e-commerce market, we also welcome initiatives from the private sector, such as AGC, as it is in line with our mission to increase the capacity of Indonesian digital economic players,” said Indonesian Coordinating Ministry of Economic Affairs Republic of Indonesia Deputy Minister, Creative Economy & SMEs Division Rudy Salahuddin in a statement.

At a press conference, Alibaba Group vice president Brian Wong said that the AGC is in line with its mission to help Indonesian entrepreneurs in the digital economy.

“We hope this seminar is able to help them to succeed in the world of e-commerce, either in the field of consumer analysis, best industry practice or marketing ability.”

According to Wong, AGC will continue its programme through its partners in Indonesia such as Tokopedia and Lazada.

“We will have 30 smaller training programmes per month depending on the needs of the market. Over time, we can even work with local universities to help students contribute to the tech ecosystem.”

AGC is organised by Alibaba Business School, an institution founded by Hangzhou Normal University of China and Alibaba Group in October 2008.

Training courses are organised by Taobao University, an education platform and training unit of Alibaba Group that offers learning opportunities to e-commerce practitioners.

Helping SMEs through technology

Wong also says that Indonesia is an important market for Alibaba given its similarity with China in terms of the massive market.

“We see huge potential in Indonesia and e-commerce in this country has unique characteristics.

“More investors are coming in because they can feel the similarity between the two countries and these emerging markets are transforming digitally,” he explains.

However, Wong clarifies that, “We do not want to build a ‘new’ Alibaba here in Indonesia. We want to promote e-commerce and technology, share our experiences, and allow local companies to share the market.”

He says that Alibaba’s local portfolio, which includes Tokopedia and Lazada will help them to deliver on this mission.

Wong however, admits that logistics and payment systems are the main challenges to e-commerce in Indonesia.

“These challenges existed in China as well. I think the most important thing is continuing to encourage young people, when they are going into this business, to build the right ecosystem to address the problems and give SMEs platforms to the ecosystem.”

Wong is optimistic about Indonesia’s digital future, especially in the e-commerce ecosystem, and says that it is just a matter of who will build it.

“These SMEs are pioneers. They are the leaders and they only need to keep the confidence and seize the opportunity. In this technology era, more people can contribute and access market.

“There is no better time than now to use this economic model that could create prosperity and inclusiveness for everyone,” he concludes.

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