The Applied Microeconomics Research Group (RG), Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB), Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta, initiated an international Community Engagement program in the marble industry center, Tulungagung Municipality, East Java, on Wednesday (1 July 2026). The program aimed to optimize the strategic capacity and governance of local micro and small enterprises (MSEs) to enable them to enter global supply chains.

Prof. Yunastiti Purwaningsih delivers remarks during the international program.

Head of the UNS Community Engagement Team, Prof. Dr. Yunastiti Purwaningsih, M.P., highlighted the significant comparative advantage of Tulungagung marble. However, limited internal managerial governance and continued reliance on conventional marketing remain major factors restricting international market expansion.

“Most business operators do not yet have well-organized and systematic bookkeeping, making it difficult to determine their actual net profits. We are here to help address these challenges through digital financial bookkeeping assistance, improvements to online marketing strategies, and insights into strategies for entering international markets for the marble industry,” said Prof. Yunastiti.

Dr. Nur Zaimah delivers the presentation.

The International Panel Discussion and Workshop featured two experts. Dr. Nur Zaimah from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) presented a comprehensive analysis of the export roadmap and tactical approaches to meeting global trade regulatory standards. The second speaker, Mochamad Ismanu Roziqi, discussed technological disruption through the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in modern business structures to improve operational efficiency among MSEs.

During the workshop session, the international Community Engagement team, comprising Arif Rahman Hakim, S.E., M.Ec.Dev., Ph.D., MCE; Mulyadi, S.E., M.Ec.Dev., Ph.D., MCE; Ayya Agmulia Asmarani Islam, S.E., M.E., Ika Alicia Sasanti, S.E., M.E.; Sutaryo, S.E., M.Si., Ph.D., Ak., CA., CRA., CRP.; Nugroho Saputro, S.E., M.Ec.Dev., MCE; and Pram Suryanadi, S.E., M.Si., MCE, provided focused guidance on standardizing digital marketing portfolios for export markets.

Mochamad Ismanu Roziqi delivers the presentation.

The business operators received training in developing visual identities and brand positioning, digital export catalogs, and international marketplace activation. In addition, the Applied Microeconomics Research Group is developing a dedicated website for the participating businesses, which is currently under development, to support local marble products in entering international markets. The strengthening of collective branding strategies is expected to reposition Tulungagung marble as high-value-added art products.

The program was designed to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 4 (Quality Education), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), through collaboration with the local media outlet Radar Tulungagung. Through periodic evaluations, the UNS team targets a minimum 70 percent improvement in managerial and digital literacy among participants in the cluster following the intervention.