ULM Rector Invited as a Speaker for Bappeda Research and Development: “MSMEs and Tourism are Complementary”

Rector of the University of Lambung Mangkurat (ULM) Prof. Dr. Ahmad Alim Bachri, S.E., M.Sc., was invited as a speaker on the “Study of MSME Potential in Tourism Development in the City of Banjarmasin” which was organized by the Regional Development Planning, Research and Development Agency (Bappeda Litbang) of Banjarmasin City. The event was held in the 3rd Floor Hall of the Banjarmasin Research and Development Agency on Monday (13/2/2023).

In the event, the Rector conveyed how the MSME sector (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) and the tourism sector have complementary relationships with each other. Products produced from MSMEs can be used as support for the development of the tourism sector.

“Every person (tourist) who will leave the city of Banjarmasin, what they are looking for is souvenirs, at least it’s like that,” said the Rector.

Prof. Ahmad also believes that a tourism activity can also be part of MSMEs when viewed from a business and business perspective. Therefore, the relationship between the tourism sector and the MSME sector is complementary or mutually supportive.

“Therefore, if we talk about MSMEs and tourism, the policies between the two must be relevant. If possible, it should also be complementary,” he said.

Based on data owned by the Ministry of Cooperatives in 2021 it shows that MSMEs contribute as much as 61% to GDP (Gross Dosmetic Product), which means that the country’s economy is greatly assisted by the MSME sector. However, MSMEs also have several basic problems including financing or capital capabilities, weak capital structure, and very limited managerial skills. In addition, MSMEs also have problems related to a limited marketing network.

Another problem explained by Prof. Ahmad is also related to awareness of improving the quality or quality of products produced by MSMEs, including the quality of packaging. These problems need attention from various parties. This is because the relationship between the two sectors is complementary, so that by increasing the quality of MSME products it can also increase the quality and quantity in the Banjarmasin City tourism sector.