PKN STAN Conducts Customs Training and Mentoring for Export-Ready SMEs and Financial Reporting for PT Dian in Garut Regency, West Java

In an effort to make a real contribution to society, PKN STAN, through its Community Service program, has conducted training and mentoring for Small and Medium Enterprises to improve their export capabilities, bookkeeping, and financial reporting. This activity took place from August to November 2024, involving a team experienced in international trade, customs, and accounting and financial reporting. The team consisted of Mr. Aditya Subur Purwana, Mr. Muhammad Anshar Syamsuddin, and Mr. Muh Nurkhamid. One of the SMEs participating in this activity was PT Dian Nugraha Sejahtera, located in Garut Regency, West Java. This SME is led by Ms. Dian. In this mentoring activity, Ms. Dian joined several other SMEs, namely PT Amphora Bumi Natura with their essential oil products and CV Empat Milenial Anugrah Sejahtera.

The main objective of this activity is to equip SMEs with the knowledge and skills needed to enter the international market. Considering the challenges faced by SMEs in penetrating export markets, this activity was designed comprehensively so that business actors could understand each stage and procedure that must be followed, starting from export procedures, preparation of export products, market research, international trade regulations, promotion and marketing, incoterms and setting export prices, and accounting and financial reporting.

Export Procedures: Participants were trained on the administrative steps required in the export process, from the documents that must be prepared to the various methods of shipping goods abroad. Export Market Research: One of the keys to successful exports is a good understanding of the export destination country (EDC). Therefore, this material provides guidance on how to conduct market research to identify opportunities and challenges in the export destination country. Trade Regulations: Given the differences in regulations in various countries, participants were trained to understand the international trade regulations that must be complied with, including customs regulations, trade agreements, product certification, and other permits. Export Marketing: This material focuses on effective marketing strategies to attract buyers in the international market, including the use of digital platforms for product promotion. Calculation of Cost of Goods Sold for Export Products: This material focuses on simulating the calculation of the cost of goods sold for export products, adjusted to the Incoterms mechanism used. Preparation of SME Financial Statements: This material focuses on introducing basic accounting and simulating the preparation of financial statements for SMEs.

The entire series of training and mentoring activities was conducted in a hybrid manner, both online (using Zoom or WhatsApp Group applications) and offline (face-to-face). This step was taken to provide flexibility for partners located in Garut Regency and at the same time utilize increasingly developing digital technology, and in order for mentoring and training to be more applicable, it was conducted offline. This activity lasted for more than three months, during which participants had the opportunity to discuss directly with the speakers and get mentoring in applying the material that had been taught.

After following this series of training, PT Dian Nugraha Sejahtera, PT Amphora Bumi Natura, and CV Empat Milenial Anugrah Sejahtera have shown significant progress. They now have a good understanding of export procedures, customs administration, and international agreements as well as accounting and financial reporting. This is an achievement that shows that this training program has successfully achieved its main objective, namely preparing SMEs to compete in the global market. Thus, it is hoped that they can open up new opportunities and increase the competitiveness of Indonesian products on the international stage.

This training program is one concrete form of PKN STAN's commitment to carrying out community service. Through this program, PKN STAN not only acts as an educational institution but also as a strategic partner for business actors to improve the quality and competitiveness of their products.

The success of this program also opens up opportunities to continue similar activities with other SMEs, with the hope that more small and medium-sized enterprises can explore export markets. PKN STAN will continue to innovate and contribute to advancing the Indonesian economy through various relevant community service programs that have a real impact on society. PKN STAN hopes to continue to be a driving force for positive change for SMEs and the wider community.