If there is one interesting lesson to be learned from Karya Kreatif\nIndonesia (KKI) 2026, it is that the development of MSMEs is never\ndetermined by a single factor. For years, discussions about MSMEs often\nstopped at the issue of capital. When a business struggled to grow, the\nsolution was considered simple: increase financing.<\/p>\n
In fact, the journey of a business is not much different from the\nprocess of growing a tree. Good seeds still require fertile soil,\nsufficient air, and adequate sunlight. Without a supportive environment,\ngrowth will not occur optimally.<\/p>\n
This perspective is increasingly relevant when looking at the\nposition of MSMEs in the Indonesian economy. Behind small stalls, craft\nbusinesses, culinary ventures, and creative products that are\nincreasingly in demand, there are millions of business actors struggling\nto face technological changes, shifts in consumer behaviour, and\nincreasingly fierce competition. Many of them need financing, but not a\nfew also need financial literacy, market access, technology utilisation,\nand even sustainable business mentoring.<\/p>\n
KKI 2026 demonstrated that Indonesian MSME development is beginning\nto move in a more holistic direction. Through various agendas such as\nGebyar Pembiayaan, Inclusion Talk, and Innovation Talk, it was evident\nhow financing, women\u2019s empowerment, and digital transformation are\npositioned as part of a mutually reinforcing ecosystem. Not three\nseparate agendas, but three wheels driving the same vehicle.<\/p>\n
This approach is important because the quality of an ecosystem is\noften more decisive than the size of the assistance provided. Capital\ncan be used up within months, but knowledge, business networks, and\nadaptability can provide far longer benefits. This is where the role of\nvarious MSME development programmes becomes increasingly strategic,\nespecially when directed at building a stronger and more sustainable\nbusiness foundation.<\/p>\n
When Financing Meets Business Readiness<\/p>\n
Financing remains one of the primary needs of MSMEs. However, healthy\nfinancing is not sufficiently measured by the amount of funds disbursed.\nWhat is more important is how those funds can improve business capacity\nand create sustainable growth.<\/p>\n
At KKI 2026, Bank Indonesia facilitated MSME financing business\nmatching which, as of July 2026, had reached Rp285 billion. This figure\ncomprised inclusive financing of Rp150 billion and sustainable financing\nof Rp135 billion. This achievement shows that financing needs remain\nsubstantial, while also demonstrating the high interest of financial\ninstitutions in supporting quality MSME development.<\/p>\n
However, these figures are only part of a larger story. The real\nchallenge for MSMEs does not always lie in the supply of funds. Many\nbusiness actors actually have superior products but are not yet able to\npresent adequate financial reports. Others have potential markets but\nhave not yet built a business track record that can reassure financial\ninstitutions.<\/p>\n
Therefore, the approach used increasingly emphasises improving\nbusiness readiness. Various instruments such as the Financial\nInformation Recording Application System (SIAPIK) help MSMEs produce\nbetter and more standardised financial reports. Throughout the first\nhalf of 2026, SIAPIK has helped 63,396 MSMEs improve their business\nrecord-keeping.<\/p>\n
This strengthening is reinforced through the Input Data Application\nSystem (BISAID), which provides profiles of potential MSMEs for\nfinancial institutions to access. With more complete and transparent\ninformation, the process of matching MSMEs with sources of financing\nbecomes more effective. This approach shows that access to capital is\nnot only about the availability of funds, but also about the quality of\ninformation and business readiness.<\/p>\n
Bank Indonesia\u2019s role in this context is interesting to observe.\nRather than focusing on direct financing functions, Bank Indonesia takes\nthe position of a catalyst connecting various stakeholders. From\nstrengthening business capacity, providing information, to connectivity\nwith the financial sector, the entire process is designed to ensure that\nfinancing truly becomes a tool for growth, not merely a short-term\ninjection of funds.<\/p>\n
Not Just Online, Digital Transformation for MSMEs to Level Up<\/p>\n
Besides financing, KKI 2026 also reminded that the face of Indonesian\nMSMEs cannot be separated from the role of women. Data from the Central\nStatistics Agency shows that around 64.5 percent of MSME operators in\nIndonesia are managed by women. In the creative economy sector, women\nalso account for around 58.39 percent of the workforce. These figures\nillustrate that women\u2019s empowerment is not merely a social agenda, but\nalso an economic agenda with a very large impact.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, this significant role has not always been accompanied\nby equal access to financing, technology, or business knowledge. Many\nwomen MSME operators still face limitations in obtaining formal\nfinancial services or broader business development opportunities.\nTherefore, the Inclusion Talk held as part of KKI 2026 served as a\nreminder that inclusive economic growth must begin with expanding\nopportunities for groups that have long been the backbone of family and\ncommunity economies.<\/p>\n
This commitment is evident from the launch of a Bank Indonesia study\nwith Women\u2019s World Banking on gender-responsive inclusive business\nmodels. This study highlights the importance of strengthening access,\nparticipation, control, and benefits for women in economic activities.\nWith such an approach, women\u2019s empowerment is no longer merely a slogan,\nbut a concrete strategy for building a more resilient and equitable\neconomy.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/when-msmes-capital-and-technology-move-together-1787752365", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }