Bontang Mayor Encourages MSMEs to Utilise Safe and Legal Financing

As many as 180 micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) actors gathered at the Bontang Mayor’s official residence on Friday morning to participate in the Business Matching and Financial Literacy Education for MSMEs (BIMA ETAM) Series 14: Goes to Bontang. Bontang Mayor Neni Moerniaeni expressed her appreciation to the East Kalimantan and North Kalimantan Financial Services Authority (OJK) and the East Kalimantan Representative Office of Bank Indonesia for their close synergy with the Regional Financial Access Acceleration Team (TPAKD) of Bontang City. She stated that the BIMA ETAM event is tangible proof of a shared commitment to connecting MSME players with credible, safe, and accessible financing institutions. “This activity is clear evidence of our collective concern and commitment to bringing business actors together with credible, safe, and accessible sources of financing,” Neni said. Neni stressed that MSMEs are the backbone of the regional economy. Besides playing a major role in creating jobs and maintaining family economic stability, MSMEs are also the driving force of economic growth. “Therefore, the government and all stakeholders are fully responsible for building a healthy, inclusive, and sustainable business ecosystem,” she stated. Addressing the participants, Neni also reminded business actors to be increasingly vigilant against the rise of fraudulent investment scams, loan shark practices, and illegal online loans that can damage business development. Through the BIMA ETAM Business Matching, MSME players not only gain access to financing from legal financial service institutions but are also equipped with strengthened financial literacy and managerial skills to develop their businesses sustainably. “The Bontang City Government will remain committed to providing tangible support through facilitation, training, and policies that favour local business actors. Take advantage of this opportunity to gather information, consult on business obstacles, and find the most appropriate and safe financing schemes,” she advised. She expressed hope that the synergy between the Bontang City Government, OJK, Bank Indonesia, and all financial service institutions can continue to be strengthened. This effort to expand access and improve financial literacy is considered crucial to protect the public from illegal financial practices, while simultaneously boosting Bontang City’s Regional Financial Access Index (IKAD). Meanwhile, the Head of the Bank Indonesia Representative Office for East Kalimantan conveyed that BIMA ETAM Series 14 is the second time the event has been held in Bontang City. This collaborative programme between Bank Indonesia, OJK, regional governments, and the financial services industry will continue to be expanded to various districts and cities in East Kalimantan to strengthen financing access and improve financial literacy for MSME players evenly.