The Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (INDEF) is known to have released a research with the title "The Role of Digital Platforms in the Development of SMEs in Indonesia" on January 25, 2024. In this research, not only the positive impact of using digital platforms to enhance local businesses and SMEs in Indonesia is mentioned, but also various popular training programs from several e-commerce platforms are showcased.

In broad terms, this research reveals that the use of digital platforms in business can help SME actors increase business revenue and create new job opportunities. Despite these positive impacts, SME actors in the field often face challenges in optimizing the use of digital platforms. Some of the main challenges are intense competition among business actors in digital platforms (96.46 percent) and a lack of workforce skills in using digital platforms (83.46 percent).

This data is in line with the Digital Literacy Status in Indonesia 2023, the result of a survey collaboration between the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (Kominfo) and Katadata Insight Center (KIC). The total value of Indonesia's digital literacy index in 2023 is only at level 3.65. This figure is still considered low to achieve the maximum index target at level 5.

To help improve the digital skills of local SME players, several e-commerce platforms such as Shopee, Lazada, and Tokopedia actively organize various SME training programs. These training programs aim to help SMEs move up a class and even reach the global market. Through these training programs, SMEs can learn basic topics such as creating a store in e-commerce, managing an online store, increasing orders using various features and campaign programs, and reaching buyers overseas.

Among them are Blibli University, UMKM Campus (Export) Shopee, Tokopedia Seller Lightning School, Tiktok Seller University, and Lazada University. The INDEF research results show that 34.65 percent of total UMKM respondents are aware of information about UMKM training program initiatives held by e-commerce platforms.

Riset INDEF notes that the UMKM training program organized by Shopee is the most well-known program among UMKM compared to other e-commerce UMKM training programs. The three UMKM training programs that are most widely known by UMKM are Shopee UMKM Campus (Export) (25.98 percent), Shopee Export Program (17.32 percent), and Tokopedia Seller Crash Course (6.30 percent).

In the INDEF public discussion event to present research results, the Expert Staff of Inter-Institutional Relations, Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs, Riza Damanik also emphasized the importance of collaboration between the government and existing digital companies to continue providing support in promoting the digitalization program for SMEs. "Collaborative initiatives with companies such as Shopee, Lazada, and others are already underway. We are also trying to encourage them to be more active and involved in providing support, in addition to what the government has already done. We hope that their engagement will also increase," explained Riza Damanik.

"In essence, cooperation and participation from all parties, including the government, are needed to enhance the digital skills of SME actors. This is why the presence of digital training programs needs to be emphasized in order to encourage the digitalization of SMEs. As additional information, the Indonesian government targets 50% digital SMEs by 2030. This was revealed by the Ministry of Coordinating Economic Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia."