E-Commerce Is Now A Trend: Minister

Pasuruan, E Java (Antaranews Jatim) - Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita said that e-commerce, or electronic trade, has now become a trend, prompting the government to encourage the development of business opportunities in the trade sector.

"The government prioritizes and encourages Islamic boarding schools to develop a new economic center, so that Islamic boarding school students are not inferior to other school graduates," the minister stated, during a seminar at Pesantrenpreuner School in Bayt al-Hikmah Islamic Boading School, Pasuruan, East Java, on Saturday.

He argued that there are some good professions, and one of them was being a trader, because the trader's profession is honorable and not inferior to civil servants.

"Trading is a good profession when compared to politics, provided traders take reasonable profits," he noted.

He recounted that during adolescence, he had often helped his friends to make a T-shirt that could be used in an activity.

"At that time, I found a shirt at a cheap price, and so I took profits of 20 to 30 percent," he explained.

Therefore, it strongly supports what has been done by the Association of Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs (HIPMI), by establishing Ummart shops, which are in synergy with modern retail entrepreneurs.

"Local entrepreneurs, especially those who have food products, can leave their products in this place. One should not dream of getting rich quickly, because like me, one is not born as a rich kid. It must all start from the bottom," he added.

And most importantly, to be a trader, one must be honest, creative and not be easily despaired, because to be great, one must continue to produce and try better.

"To be a trader, one must also be good at reading opportunities, because opportunities do not come twice, and must also be tenacious," he added.(*)