Bandung:The Ministry of Trade, in partnership with the Indonesian Retail Entrepreneurs Association (APRINDO), has facilitated the creation of 104 GS1 barcodes for 39 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). This initiative is part of the Busan Selected Product Placement Program (PPPB) aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of MSME products by simplifying their integration into modern retail networks.
According to Ministry of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia, the barcodes were provided to the MSMEs during the National Retail Day (HRN) and National Quality Month 2026 National Summit held in Bandung, West Java. Trade Minister Budi Santoso acknowledged APRINDO's support through HRN 2026, emphasizing the role of barcodes in easing access to both local and foreign modern retail markets.
The PPPB initiative is a strategy to expand MSME product marketing. The program involves curating MSMEs with products that have upgrade potential, displaying them at the Trade Minister's office, and offering various facilitation forms such as marketing and capacity building. Since 2025, the PPPB has completed five periods.
The 2026 HRN summit, held from November 2 to 11, included seminars on retail, with participants from the National Standardization Agency (BSN) and digital business sectors. The event featured the presentation of Indonesian National Standard Mark Product Certificates to 14 compliant MSMEs and an MoU between BSN and APRINDO to enhance retail standardization.
Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan highlighted the importance of cross-sectoral support for Indonesia's progress. Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, participating online, emphasized strengthening retail-MSME partnerships to boost local product absorption and domestic market competitiveness.
APRINDO Chairman Solihin praised the government's support, noting retail's significant role in driving economic progress. Shelly, owner of Salaku, and Butet Rita Triana, owner of Kain Ibu, expressed appreciation for the barcode facility, citing its benefits for business development and international market expansion.
The National Retail Day 2026 events, starting with a launch on November 2, included a Quality Local Product Festival showcasing 28 MSMEs. The festival achieved product sales of Rp94.6 million and potential business transactions worth Rp513.73 million, with participation from the PPPB Period 2 MSME, PUKA.
Source Ministry of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia