The virtual festival and exhibition, a shift from the offline format, showcases thousands of Indonesian MSMEs with more than 18,000 high-quality products.

BCA President Director Jahja Setiaatmadja said BCA UMKM Fest demonstrates BCA’s commitment to developing MSMEs so they can thrive and increase their competitiveness, in line with the mission of accelerating Indonesia’s Sustainable Development Goals.

“BCA strongly advocates the role that MSMEs play in reviving Indonesia’s economy. Due to ongoing social restrictions, we are holding BCA UMKM Fest virtually, with the noble goal of fostering motivation and optimism among MSME entrepreneurs and accelerating the realization of SDGs,” he said.

Jahja added that as a financial institution close to the public, BCA is committed to providing added value and competitiveness with the latest market needs for MSMEs as one of the driving forces of the national economy.

As part of the festival, BCA is providing end-to-end working spaces for MSMEs through the prepared digital platform, various webinars, mentoring services and business matching sessions that can open market access the small businesses to explore market opportunities.

Jahja highlighted the crucial position that MSMEs hold, as evidenced by the great number of workers absorbed in the sector. Data from the Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Ministry shows that as of 2018, MSMEs employed 116.97 million workers or 98 percent of the employees engaged in the sector. Meanwhile, MSMEs contributed 61.07 percent to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) at the time.   

“We hope that MSME products will not just become a ‘host in their home land’ by taking advantage of the country as the biggest population in ASEAN and the fourth in the world; we should also be able to expand to penetrate international markets,” he said.

With regard to business matching, BCA is collaborating with Indonesian embassies, consulate generals, the International Trade Promotion Center and correspondence banks to present prospective buyers from 30 countries.

Currently, as many as 80 BCA sellers are ready to export. Later, MSMEs ready to export will have the chance to hold business meetings and discussions with their prospective buyers.

Additionally, in a webinar titled “MSMEs Ready for Export”, participants will receive education and training on how to become a reliable exporter from credible experts.

In addition to providing added value to MSMEs, visitors can explore more than 18,000 high-quality products from 1,700 participating merchants, which include 7,500 food and beverage products, 5,800 fashion products, 1,500 hobby products, 1,300 health and beauty items, 400 accessories and jewelry products, and many more attractive items. On top of that, visitors are also pampered with discounts, auctions and discounts on delivery fees.

BCA UMKM Fest was preceded by a virtual press conference attended by Jahja, BCA Director Santoso; Executive Vice President (EVP) Commercial and SME Business division Freddy Iman, who is also BCA UMKM Fest Organizing Committee Chairman; and the bank’s EVP Secretariat and Corporate Communications BCA, Hera F. Haryn, who served as a moderator on Thursday.

The virtual event was also attended by Coordinating Maritime Affairs and Investment Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Bank Indonesia Governor Perry Warjiyo, Financial Services Authority (OJK) Board of Commissioners Head Wimboh Santoso and House of Representatives Commission XI member Indah Kurnia. 

Popular

Japan to export used destroyers to Philippines to deter China

Analysis: Indonesia’s competitiveness ranking falls amid weakening fundamentals

KPK finds guns, Rp 2.8 billion in the house of an aide close to Bobby Nasution