A team from the Accounting Education Program (PPAk) at the UGM Faculty of Economics and Business launched digital financial literacy training in collaboration with the Keerom Trade and MSMEs Office.
This training is aimed at Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) owned by the Papuan people in Keerom Regency.
Project head Dr. Arika Artiningsih said that the training aims to improve literacy related to digital technology-based finance, stimulate the growth of inclusive and sustainable MSMEs, and encourage local economic empowerment, delivering SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth), SDG 9 (industry, innovation, and infrastructure), and SDG 10 (reduced inequality).
“It is only natural for local governments and MSME actors to pay attention to the Papuan people. They very much need extra encouragement and guidance in running their businesses,” said the head at UGM on Monday, December 11.
The training occurred in Arso, Keerom Regency, on Wednesday, November 29, receiving 25 MSME actors from across the regency and presenting speakers from the UGM Faculty of Economics and Business, including Dr. Arika Artiningsih, A. Sudiana Sasmita, Anggit Firmansyah, Firdaus Kurniawan, and Nadya Windy Putrie.
Dr. Artiningsih said the activity is one way to change the mindset of the Papuan people in business, especially in utilizing digital technology for financial management with the SIDEK-ERP application.
“The target is to measure and manage the business run by the Papuan people well in internet-based bookkeeping,” she said.
Keerom Deputy Regent Wahfir Kosasih has the same view. When opening the training, Kosasih stated that good record keeping is expected to facilitate access to capital, such as People’s Business Credit (KUR) from banks, and expand business for export.
According to the deputy regent, this training is a tangible form of commitment of the Keerom Regency Government led by Regent Piter Gusbager in encouraging the progress and success of MSMEs run by the Papuan people.
“Digitalization certainly provides extensive opportunities to expand market reach, improve operational efficiency, and innovations, especially for MSMEs in the Keerom Regency,” said Kosasih.
The training participants will also learn the basic concepts of financial planning, cash, and digital technology. The government hopes it will improve the quality of products displayed in the 2024 Pesparawi in Keerom.
Sudiana Sasmita stated that the government needs to increase the digital penetration of MSMEs in Keerom to tackle the lack of digital technology use in business and financial management by the actors in the regency.
Providing intensive training and mentoring is essential to prepare resources for digital technology adoption.
Sasmita explained that the training kicked off the mentoring for MSMEs. The goals of this training include increasing understanding of financial literacy for Papuans in the Keerom Regency, introducing digital technology in financial management, and providing practical guidance on using technology to optimize MSMEs.
“With this training, we hope to change paradigms and improve the abilities of MSME actors in the Keerom Regency to adopt digital technology for financial management,” Sasmita added.
“This program will run gradually and continuously to give long-term benefits for the Papuan people and contribute to the empowerment of MSMEs in the regency.”
Author: Agung Nugroho
Photo: UGM Faculty of Economics and Business