Increasing the Economic Value Added of MSMEs in Brebes during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Hamidah1), Agung Dharmawan Buchdadi2), Mukson3), Vina Pebianti4), Nur Supriyanti Agustini5)

Universitas Negeri Jakarta

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has economic, social, and political implications for not only big countries but almost all countries in the world. Indonesia is one of the countries affected especially on the economic side. Indonesia, which is dominated by Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), needs to pay special attention to this sector because the contribution of MSMEs to the national economy is quite large. The increasing number of COVID-19 cases will certainly weaken the national and international economy. This research aims to increase the added economic value to MSMEs during the COVID-19 pandemic. This research was conducted in the city of Brebes, Central Java. The researchers conducted research on 70 MSMEs owner consisting of various types of businesses including the food sector, sandals craftsmen, batik and many more. Then, researchers tried to analyze how to increase economic value added to MSMEs players during the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the existence of MSMEs in Indonesia, especially in Brebes and how emergency solutions can help MSMEs survive the COVID-19 pandemic situation by distributing questionnaires to MSMEs owner. Based on the results of the distribution of the questionnaire, information was obtained that 1) there were 44% of MSMEs experiencing a decrease in sales due to the COVID-19, 2) there were 40% of MSMEs experiencing difficulties in finding raw materials for products, 3) there are 38% of MSMEs experiencing difficulties in finding workforce, 4) there are 48% of MSMEs selling online during the COVID-19, 5) there are 42% of MSMEs who collaborate with local governments in selling during the COVID-19, and 6) there were 45% of MSMEs working with similar MSMEs in making sales during the COVID-19.

Keywords: MSMEs, Economic Added Value, Impact of the Indonesian Economy, COVID-19

Topic: Humanity and Social Science