Artha Graha Peduli and Artha Graha Network Support KTM 2026, Push SMEs to Penetrate Global Markets

Artha Graha Peduli (AGP) together with Artha Graha Network (AGN) and a number of its business units took part in the Kebumen Travel Mart (KTM) 2026 and Gombong Festival of Culture 2026 on 27-29 August. The event was held at the Van der Wijck Fort area, Gombong, Kebumen Regency, Central Java.

The presence of AGP and several AGN business units in the event, which brought together tourism industry players, travel agents, SMEs, investors, and buyers from within and outside the country, was part of a commitment to support the development of regional potential, particularly in the tourism, creative economy, SME, digitalisation, and community empowerment sectors.

Kebumen Travel Mart 2026 carried the spirit of ‘Connecting Business, Celebrating Culture, Promoting Tourism’, with a series of activities including business forums, buyers meet sellers, destination promotion, SME Expo & Bazaar, and various cultural performances. The event also featured industry players and buyers from several countries, including Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, China, and Nigeria.

Cooperatives Minister Ferry Juliantono assessed that Gombong has the potential to be developed as a hub for SMEs, the creative economy, culture, and tourism. He also stated his readiness to help promote Kebumen’s potential. ‘Wherever I am, I will be a promoter. I will campaign for Kebumen,’ said Ferry at the opening of KTM 2026.

Meanwhile, Kebumen Regent Lilis Nuryani said that Kebumen has a wealth of destinations spread across 26 sub-districts and 460 villages. She invited guests and industry players not only to come to Kebumen but also to enjoy the tourism, culinary offerings, and the hospitality of the local community. ‘Kebumen is vast, and its tourism is abundant. Enjoy the tourism first, the culinary offerings, and the hospitality of its people,’ said Lilis.

According to her, KTM is also a strategic space to bring together destination managers, travel agents, hospitality businesses, communities, and SMEs to open up broader collaboration opportunities.

As part of this support, PT Bank Artha Graha Internasional Tbk (BAGI) used KTM 2026 to introduce various banking solutions that can support the needs of business players, including the tourism and SME sectors. Branch Director of the Solo Branch of PT Bank Artha Graha Internasional Tbk, Theodorus Sundah, said that BAGI’s participation is a form of support for the development of tourism potential and the regional economy.

‘This event has even attracted interest from representatives of several friendly countries, ranging from Malaysia, China, Russia, to the Middle East region, who plan to attend in person to witness Kebumen’s potential,’ said Theodorus. BAGI introduced products and services, ranging from foreign exchange, working capital/investment credit, to business transaction solutions through Artha Merchant. ‘This is real banking support for the growth of the tourism and investment sectors in the region,’ he continued.

Support for strengthening the local economy also came through PT Electronic City Indonesia Tbk. Branch Director of the Magelang Branch of PT Electronic City Indonesia Tbk, Sigit Adi, said the company’s participation is a manifestation of its commitment to supporting regional economic progress as well as SME empowerment. ‘We believe that the use of appropriate technology solutions and electronic devices can increase the productivity and competitiveness of local business players and Kebumen’s tourism sector at both national and international levels,’ said Sigit.

Digital transformation was also an important part of AGN’s support in KTM 2026. Qoin was present as a payment partner by supporting the use of QRIS for merchants participating in the event. GM Business & Operations of Qoin, Netty Herawaty, assessed that KTM is an important momentum to introduce and strengthen the tourism and local economic potential of Kebumen.

‘Through Qoin’s participation as a payment partner in the Kebumen Travel Mart, particularly in supporting the use of QRIS for merchants, we hope to encourage the use of digital transactions that are increasingly easy, safe, and inclusive for SMEs and tourists,’ said Netty. According to her, digitalisation not only provides convenience in conducting transactions but also opens wider access for SMEs to grow and connect with the digital economy ecosystem.

Meanwhile, PT Pesona Inti Rasa, through its GulaVit product in collaboration with Takokak Win’s Tea, participated in KTM 2026 as part of efforts to support the promotion of Indonesian tourism, culture, and culinary offerings. Marketing Manager of PT Pesona Inti Rasa, Jessica Setiawan, said the presence of GulaVit and Takokak Win’s Tea is part of a synergy to present an experience of Indonesia’s rich flavours and local wisdom.

The spirit of developing local potential to compete at the global level was also conveyed by Pangdam IV/Diponegoro Major General TNI Achiruddin. According to him, Kebumen has natural wealth, historical heritage, culture, and various SME products that can be developed into regional economic strength. ‘Local potential must be developed into economic strength that provides real benefits to the community,’ said Achiruddin.

He also assessed that the choice of Van der Wijck Fort as the event location was very appropriate because it has historical value and can serve as a space to introduce Kebumen’s tourism and creative economy potential.

Support for local economic development also came from the Kebumen diaspora through Induk Warga Asal Kabupaten Kebumen (IWAKK) Walet Emas. Chairman of IWAKK Walet Emas, Major General TNI (Ret.) Ibnu Darmawan, conveyed the diaspora’s commitment to help market Kebumen SME products to various major cities. He also encouraged the revitalisation of the Van der Wijck Fort area so that it can be developed as an international-standard heritage destination.

From the international side, Malaysia Tourism representative Datuk Hadi Bachtiar bin Amnan appreciated the welcome received by the Malaysian delegation and expressed commitment to help promote Kebumen’s tourism and cultural potential to the Malaysian public.

The involvement of AGP, AGN, and business units such as BAGI, Electronic City, Qoin, and PT Pesona Inti Rasa demonstrates how cross-sector collaboration can play a role in supporting regional economic development. This support comes through various approaches—from financing access and banking services, digital transaction solutions, the use of technology and electronic devices, to strengthening the tourism experience through food and beverage products.

For AGP and AGN, regional economic development cannot stand alone. Tourism, SMEs, culture, technology, financial services, and community empowerment are part of a mutually supportive ecosystem. Through their presence at Kebumen Travel Mart 2026 and Gombong Festival of Culture, Artha Graha Network hopes that collaboration between the business world, government, communities, SME players, the tourism industry, and international partners can continue to be strengthened so that Kebumen’s potential becomes more widely known and provides real economic benefits to the community.

Kebumen Travel Mart 2026 is also expected not to stop as a promotional event, but to become an entry point for the birth of new business networks, investment, innovation, and collaboration capable of bringing Kebumen’s tourism potential and flagship products to national and international markets.