Jakarta. Indonesia's State-Owned Enterprises (SOE) Ministry launched the BerKRIYAsi Bazaar for Indonesia. The event aims to help craft-based MSMEs market their products and boost sales while preserving traditional Indonesian crafts through unique handmade items inspired by ethnic and cultural heritage.

This event is taking place at Sarinah Building in Jakarta from Oct. 17 to 20, 2024, and at Trans Studio Mall Makassar from Oct. 24 to 27, 2024. It is backed by six state-owned enterprises (SOEs): Pegadaian, Bank BTN, Perusahaan Gas Negara, Semen Indonesia (SIG), Angkasa Pura Indonesia, and Biro Klasifikasi Indonesia. Approximately 150 SOE-mentored MSMEs are showcasing a diverse array of crafts, including home decor, accessories, and other innovative handmade products.

Damar Latri Setiawan, CEO of Pegadaian, reiterated the company's commitment to supporting MSMEs not just by showcasing quality products but also by fostering their growth. “Consumers can easily make purchases through the PaDi UMKM platform, and we believe that MSME products have great potential to compete nationally and internationally,” he said on Saturday.

Nixon LP Napitupulu, CEO of Bank BTN, highlighted the company’s ongoing efforts to support MSME development through financing, training, and promotional opportunities. “As an SOE, BTN is committed to providing comprehensive support to MSMEs to drive national economic growth,” he said.

Donny Arsal, CEO of Semen Indonesia (SIG), emphasized the importance of providing MSMEs with guidance to help them operate professionally and leverage digital marketing and sales opportunities. “Involving MSMEs in exhibitions is essential for gaining experience and expanding their marketing networks, allowing them to compete on both national and global levels,” he noted.

The bazaar officially opened to the public on Oct. 17, 2024, at the Ground Floor of Sarinah. The opening ceremony took place on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, with attendance from Loto Srinaita Ginting, Expert Staff for Finance and MSME Development from the SOE Ministry, alongside leaders from the six organizing SOEs, Sally Salamah from the National Public Accountant Agency, and Elisabeth Ratu Rante Allo, head of Jakarta's PPUKM department.

In her opening remarks, Ginting underscored that the event aligns with directives from SOE Minister Erick Thohir and President Joko Widodo, emphasizing the need for SOEs to include MSMEs in their procurement processes.

The SOE Ministry plans to host 12 themed bazaars across major cities in Indonesia throughout 2024, including Jakarta, Bandung, Medan, Denpasar, Balikpapan, Makassar, and Labuan Bajo, with final events scheduled for November 2024 in Labuan Bajo and Jakarta.

All transactions at the BerKRIYAsi bazaar are conducted through the PaDi UMKM platform, developed by the SOE Ministry since 2020. So far, the eight bazaars held this year have generated around Rp 95 billion ($6.2 million) in sales. From January to September 2024, SOE spending on domestic products reached Rp 726.4 trillion ($47.7 billion), with Rp 47 trillion ($3.1 billion) allocated for MSME products, representing only 6% of total domestic spending. "This indicates there is significant potential for SOEs to increase their spending on MSMEs," Ginting remarked.

Achmad Syahir, Human Capital Director of Angkasa Pura Indonesia, reiterated the company's commitment to fostering the growth and development of MSMEs. “Through this bazaar, we aim to help MSMEs expand their businesses and enhance their market presence,” he said.

Andry Tanudjaja, Institutional Relations Director of Biro Klasifikasi Indonesia, emphasized that BKI is dedicated to assisting MSMEs in broadening their market reach and contributing to Indonesia's economic growth. “We believe that collaboration and synergy with partners can create broader opportunities for MSME development, ultimately benefiting society as a whole,” he stated.

In addition to the bazaar, the BerKRIYAsi event features various activities, including creative competitions, talk shows, workshops, live music performances, and guest star appearances. The event in Jakarta will conclude on Friday evening with a performance by the band Juicy Lucy at Sarinah.