BNI Committed to Preserving Indonesian Culture Through Investment in the Batik Industry

On National Batik Day, falling on Friday (2/10/2026), PT Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) Tbk (BNI) further strengthened its commitment to preserving batik as a component of Indonesian cultural identity. One of BNI’s efforts to realise this commitment is the utilisation of batik within its working environment.

Within BNI’s workplace, batik is the mandatory work attire for employees to wear twice a week. This policy was established by the company to bring the corporate sector and its employees closer to Indonesia’s cultural heritage. Consequently, the company’s consistency in upholding the archipelago’s authentic art is manifested through the use of batik as part of daily professional activities.

BNI Corporate Secretary, Okki Rushartomo, stated that batik possesses not only cultural value but also serves as part of economic activities involving many artisans and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) players. “Therefore, the preservation of batik must go hand in hand with strengthening business capacity, market expansion, and the sustainability of its practitioners,” Okki said in a written statement received on Friday (2/10/2026).

This recognition of MSME players is not merely expressed in words. BNI provides tangible support to batik artisans and business owners across various regions. This is achieved through participation in cultural activities and the empowerment of business practitioners.

The State-Owned Enterprise (SOE) operating in the banking sector is striving to create wider opportunities so that Indonesian batik and craft products become more widely known on both national and international stages and have the opportunity to grow. A concrete activity undertaken by BNI was its participation in Puspa Nuswantara 2026 in July 2026 in Jakarta.

This event is a curated showcase of Indonesian batik art. Beyond being an exhibition, the programme also hosts talk shows featuring batik artists and entrepreneurs. Under the theme “Rupa Makna Tambal Nusantara”, Puspa Nuswantara 2026 was held over five days.

During the event, BNI presented its mentored MSMEs to expand the exposure of their batik and craft products. “Through participation in Puspa Nuswantara, BNI aims to introduce our mentored batik artisans to the public and lovers of Nusantara batik. We also want to expand collaboration opportunities, so that the flagship products of our mentored MSMEs can reach a wider market,” said Okki.