Covid-19 Beats MSMEs in Batam, Demand Has Dropped Since Tourism Plummeted

Editor: Putri Larasati Anggiawan

TRIBUNBATAM.id, BATAM - The Corona virus in Batam has hit Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

Several types of MSMEs were affected, especially those selling products in the form of souvenirs, or typical Batam souvenirs, such as the Halawiyah cake business and otak-otak.

One of the MSME players, Laily, who sells Halawiyah cake products, admitted that during the pandemic, the demand for her handmade products has decreased.

The reason is, souvenir products are very dependent on tourist arrivals in Batam City.

Halawiyah Cake itself was often used as a subscription for foreign tourists from Singapore.

"During this pandemic, demand has decreased somewhat, because usually Singaporean tourists are interested," said Laily, in a group discussion forum held by Tribun Batam online entitled 'MSMEs Rise, Recover Economy', Friday (16/10/2020).

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Hariyadi, a Regata Brain-brain businessman, also feels the same thing, whose products are often brought home as souvenirs by tourists.

He admitted that the sales turnover of his brains during the pandemic had decreased.

"My product is targeted at the tourist market, so the turnover has fallen quite a bit, although local buyers are still there," said Hariyadi.

Nevertheless, both Hariyadi and Laily have implemented strict health protocols in their business activities.

In a home business that is managed by Laily, he has prepared various health protocol facilities such as hand washing stations and handsanitizers for courier officers who pick up his products.

"For example, I suggest that the Gosend driver wash his hands before entering my house," said Laily.

Meanwhile, Hariyadi prepared a different matter, namely a special food cooler box for the products he sells for the brains.

In addition, Hariyadi ensured that in terms of packaging, products were packaged with strict hygiene and health protocols.

"We keep packing with masks and gloves," added Hariyadi.

For him, in this difficult time of the Covid-19 pandemic, MSMEs must implement various innovations in their business activities. For example, Hariyadi now provides brains products in the form of long-lasting frozen food and can be ordered online.

Meanwhile, Laily assessed that currently people tend to choose a variety of foods that are fresh and can be consumed directly.

Therefore, it provides food products that are cooked according to demand. (TribunBatam.id/Hening Sekar Utami)

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