JAKARTA, 9 March 2022 -- PT Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero), Tbk or BNI continues to expand the BNI Xpora program amidst the increasing potential for domestic product exports for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). BNI collaborated with National Support for Local Investment Climate (NSLIC), Canadian Embassy, Philippine Embassy, German Embassy, and PT Sarinah to hold Business Matching to open opportunities for Indonesian MSME products to go global. This time, BNI-fostered MSMEs that have coffee businesses are included in the Business Matching.
This collaboration was confirmed at the International Business Matching Ijen Coffee Market 2022 event, earlier this week. Where in this Business Matching, MSME players, especially from the country's coffee industry, will meet potential buyers from Canada, Germany, and the Philippines.
BNI's MSMEs Business Director, Muhammad Iqbal, said, as a contributor to approximately 60% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and also absorbing approximately 90% of the total workforce in the country, MSMEs are the main driving force for Indonesia's economic growth.
The government is also proactive in encouraging MSMEs to advance to class and become players in the global market with various fiscal policies. However, this initiative requires cooperation from various parties, in order to realize MSMEs that are internationally competitive.
"The international Business Matching event is a concrete manifestation of how synergistic cooperation between BNI, Sarinah, NSLIC, and various embassies of friendly countries (in order) to form a support system for Indonesian MSMEs. Thus, MSMEs gain access to foreign markets, one of which is access to a wider market which is one of the main challenges for MSMEs to develop their business," he said.
Iqbal continued, this collaboration is in line with the BNI program, Xpora, which wants to support the Indonesian MSME ecosystem to Go Productive, Go Digital, and Go Global, as well as strengthen cooperation with the Indonesian diaspora ecosystem. Moreover, this segment can collaborate well with BNI branches in various countries.
“This effort is also in line with the enthusiasm of investors, coffee lovers from various countries. Their passion drives us to continue working to produce the best and quality products for everyone to enjoy. We hope to pave the way to a wider market, increase the coffee business, and become an important part of the global market,” he said.
MSME Portfolio Reaches 20%
Furthermore, Iqbal said that BNI's credit portfolio in 2021 given to MSMEs has so far reached 20.1%, and continues to grow positively in line with the national economic recovery after being depressed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
BNI also has a fairly clear roadmap in developing this MSME segment credit. BNI hopes to be a contributor in encouraging the expansion of national MSME loans by up to 30% by 2024.
"We are also more active in increasing the business of customers and debtors through the establishment of an integrated digital value chain ecosystem as a financing solution and transaction services from upstream to downstream. Through various Banking products and services, we strive to proactively support the business development of BNI partners," he mentioned.
As a Bank with global business advantages, BNI is also proactive in encouraging our customers and debtors to explore while increasing the penetration of MSME products and services into international markets. BNI also supports this ecosystem with a champion program called BNI Xpora which connects various export and diaspora business players in one more measurable business movement.
"BNI's overseas branches do not only provide services, but also actively inform various opportunities for overseas market expansion," he concluded. Meanwhile, Sarinah's Managing Director, Fetty Kwartati said, Sarinah is a platform to showcase local products produced by MSMEs, especially women entrepreneurs. This Business Matching event reminds Sarinah to remain an authentic business entity and not to forget her grass roots. We really support this event, because this event is a form of reflection related to the formation of the character of local MSMEs that are independent and resilient in facing many uncertainties and threats," said Fetty. (*)