Many MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises) have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. In response to this, the UGM KKN-PPM 2021 unit, Karangtengah Subdistrict, Demak Regency, Central Java, took the initiative to create an e-catalog to support the expansion of promotion of local businesses. They used a web platform that allows users to create their applications without a coding process.
“We are trying to raise this e-catalog program to increase MSME’s marketing in Demak Regency,” said Nurul Husna, Student Coordinator of the UGM Karangtengah KKN-PPM Unit 2021, Wednesday (1/9).
The students made two e-catalogs. The first is an e-catalog for SMEs within the Karangtengah sub-district, and the second is an e-catalog for MSMEs throughout the Demak Regency. The e-catalog for MSMEs in Karangtengah District is named ‘Kedai Digital Karangtengah Cinta’. Meanwhile, the one for Demak Regency is named ‘E-Katalog Pasar Kota Wali Demak.’
The two e-catalogs have passed to the local government. The local government operated and further disseminated them to the community. The e-catalog for the Karangtengah sub-district is passed to the Karangtengah sub-district office, and the Demak Regency e-catalog to the Department of Trade, Cooperatives, and SMEs of the Demak Regency.
Husna said they made these e-catalogs for easier use. Business actors only need to set up an email account, Whatsapp number, product photos, and fill out online forms. Husna emphasized that business actors who enter product information into this digital catalog do not need to pay fees, and the transaction will be immediately agreed upon between the seller and the buyer.
“In addition, the UGM PPM KKN Team also made a guidebook for using the Mayor’s Market E-Catalog to facilitate its use,” said Husna.
As of 1 September 2021, Husna reported that for the Demak Regency e-catalog and the Mayor of Demak City Market E-Catalog, 52 MSMEs had joined. As for the Karangtengah District e-catalog and the Kedai Digital Karangtengah Cinta e-Catalog, only four MSMEs have joined.
“The creation of an application-based e-catalog was inspired by the Sonjo movement initiated by lecturers from UGM, which has proven to increase sales of MSMEs affected by the pandemic in Yogyakarta,” concluded Husna.
