The Indonesia Eximbank (LPEI) and the Government of West Sumatra Province have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance the development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), cooperatives, village-owned enterprises (BUMDesa), village-owned enterprises managing natural resources (BUMDESMA), and SMEs oriented towards exports. Chesna F Anwar, the Executive Director of Institutional Relations at LPEI, highlighted the substantial export potential of West Sumatra, particularly the renowned rendang culinary dish acknowledged as one of the world's most delicious foods. In Bulgaria, a satellite kitchen is producing 30 tons of rendang monthly for distribution across various European countries. LPEI plans to support West Sumatra's exporters through the Coaching Program for New Exporters (CPNE), the Devisa Village Program for sustainable export development and foreign exchange income using key village commodities, and Marketing Handholding to open export markets for businesses in the province.
Chesna emphasized the need for collaborative efforts to build a foundation for export development programs, transforming West Sumatra's Devisa Villages into successful contributors to the local economy. Syukriah HG, the Head of the Regional Office of the Directorate General of Treasury, Ministry of Finance, in West Sumatra, affirmed commitment to supporting economic growth in the region. The MoU aims to empower export-ready SMEs, envisioning multiple villages in West Sumatra becoming contributors to foreign exchange. Governor Mahyeldi Ansharullah stated that this collaboration would enhance West Sumatra's product exports globally, providing economic reinforcement to the region. As of October 2023, the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) recorded West Sumatra's export value at USD 193.53 million. Key export products include Crude Palm Oil (CPO), chemicals, and rubber. Pakistan emerged as the primary destination for West Sumatra's exports in the second quarter of 2023, holding a 34.53% share, followed by India and Bangladesh with 31.80% and 9.71%, respectively. The collaborative efforts outlined in the MoU aim to transform West Sumatra into a significant contributor to Indonesia's export landscape, fostering economic growth and global market presence.
