248 Bandung MSMEs Complete R.I.S.E Islamic Programme, Targeting 100 Per Cent Monthly Revenue Increase

The Reach Independence & Sustainable Entrepreneurship (R.I.S.E) Islamic collaborative training programme has officially concluded, with a closing ceremony held in Bandung. The initiative, spearheaded by Maybank Syariah together with the National Committee for Islamic Economy and Finance (KNEKS), the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) of Bandung City, the MUI Bandung City Mosque Syariah Cooperative (KOSAMA), and People System Consultancy (PSC) Indonesia, concluded its coaching of 248 MSME actors covering the period from April to June 2026.

The third batch closing was attended by leading figures from Bandung’s syariah ecosystem. R.I.S.E Islamic training was conducted in three waves. The first wave took place on 7–9 April 2025 with 69 participants. The second wave was held on 20–22 April 2025, reaching 91 people. Meanwhile, the third wave ran on 9–10 June 2025 and was attended by 88 participants. In total, the programme successfully reached 248 MSME actors in Bandung City who received training and mentoring to strengthen their business capacity.

In his closing sermon, MUI Bandung City Chairman Miftah Faridl rooted the entrepreneurial spirit in Islamic history. He stressed that business is not solely about seeking profit. “The Prophet was a trader. Siti Khadijah was also a trader and a highly respected wealthy merchant. After the Rashidun Caliphs, there is a group rarely recorded: the merging of traders and preachers. It was this combination that spread Islam throughout the world, including to Indonesia, through trade,” he said. He noted that trade, business and entrepreneurship hold a very important and strategic role for Muslims, who are the majority in Indonesia. However, much work remains, particularly in efforts to improve the welfare of underprivileged communities. Although the training lasted a relatively short two days, he expressed hope that the knowledge and experience gained would provide broad benefits and blessings for business development.

KNEKS Deputy Director for Syariah Business and Entrepreneurship, Helma Agustiawan, commended Maybank Syariah for its consistent collaboration in Bandung. Out of roughly 745 applicants, 248 participants were accommodated, comprising 202 women and 46 men. This mentoring programme has several main targets, from enhancing business capacity and product standardisation to obtaining halal certification. The 248 MSME actors receiving six months of mentoring are expected to improve their business quality and competitiveness. “With a composition of 81 per cent female participants, R.I.S.E Islamic Bandung confirms the new face of syariah economic empowerment. It is not just training, but an ecosystem — from classes, halal certification, to mosque-based business mentoring. The mosque acts as an incubator that strengthens morals, muamalah knowledge, and business science in accordance with Syariah,” Helma said. She added that mosques hold great potential to serve as entrepreneurship incubators that not only strengthen business capacity but also shape character, deepen muamalah understanding, and foster practices aligned with syariah principles.

Dhia Alif from PSC Indonesia emphasised that the training does not stop in the classroom. Following the closing, the programme continues with six months of mentoring. Each MSME is accompanied by one mentor with measurable targets. “We at PSC Indonesia are targeting a 100 per cent increase in monthly revenue during the mentoring period. Evaluations are monthly, using online methods, with offline meetings planned at the MUI Bandung City Office, and through direct visits to homes and business premises,” he confirmed. With the presence of Maybank Syariah’s West Java Regional Office, the programme affirms the commitment of syariah banking as a driving force, positioning mosques and the community as hubs for upgrading halal MSMEs.