BTN Expands MSME Financing in Palu to Drive Business Growth
Jakarta (ANTARA) – PT Bank Tabungan Negara (Persero) Tbk (BTN) continues to expand its role in driving regional economies through financing for the housing sector and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). This commitment is part of BTN’s tangible transformation within the Danantara Indonesia ecosystem, broadening the company’s benefits from housing finance to becoming a driver of business activities and community economic growth.
This transformation is evidenced by the simultaneous mass signing of contracts for 2,577 debtors across Indonesia, comprising 1,009 MSME debtors and 1,568 Subsidised Home Ownership Loan (KPR) debtors. Specifically in Palu, contracts were signed for 159 debtors, consisting of 111 MSME product debtors and 48 Subsidised KPR debtors.
BTN’s Director of Commercial Banking, Hermita, stated that BTN is no longer solely identified with housing finance but is continuously expanding its ecosystem through collaboration with local governments and business actors. In developing MSMEs in Palu, BTN will also encourage expanded market access through the use of digital channels.
“We at BTN are ready to support MSMEs in Palu City to become even larger, not just at a local level, but nationally and globally. We have partnerships with several marketplaces. We can collaborate—for example, by selecting 100 MSMEs that we truly want to uplift, training them on how to sell effectively on marketplaces so that customers return. The goal is not just for national needs, but for exports,” said Hermita.
The potential for MSME development in Palu City is significant. The Ministry of MSMEs notes there are 33,935 MSMEs in Palu City. In line with this potential, BTN’s distribution of People’s Business Credit (KUR) in Central Sulawesi has reached Rp26.7 billion, representing a 36.3% year-on-year growth.
BTN has also distributed Housing Program Credit (KPP) amounting to Rp123 billion to 6lar MSMEs in Palu City since October 2025, specifically targeting business actors in the real estate and construction sectors that support housing development and provision.
In addition to financing, 2,957 MSMEs in Palu have joined the BTN MSME Merchant Bale to support digital business transactions. Furthermore, 21 MSME debtors have been recorded as having successfully ‘moved up’ in scale.
The Deputy for Medium Enterprises at the Ministry of MSMEs, Bagus Rachman, stated that the government will promote Palu as a pilot region for MSME development towards export markets.
“We are making Palu a pilot project. There will be an MoU between the Ministry of MSMEs and the Indonesian Quarantine Agency to oversee the increase in exports for MSME products in Palu. There are 33,935 MSMEs in Palu City, which is a substantial number. This is what we hope will drive MSMEs to scale up,” said Bagus.
The Mayor of Palu, H. Hadianto Rasyid, stated that BTN has become a partner to the Palu City Government in assisting the management of various regional potentials. This collaboration includes strengthening MSMEs and the digitalisation of government to improve performance and public services.
“Bank BTN is currently a full partner to the Palu City Government in assisting the management of the region’s potential. One aspect is the strengthening of micro, small, and medium enterprises. We hope that the cooperation with Bank BTN in providing business credit reinforcement for MSME actors will further strengthen government efforts, so that MSME business management in Palu City can grow and operate effectively,” said Hadianto.
Currently, the Palu City Government’s business incubator programme has assisted more than 1,000 MSME actors. In the last two years, the programme has also provided business capital reinforcement to approximately 1,000 students in Palu City.
The MSME Festival, part of the 48th Anniversary celebrations of Palu City, will run until 30 September 2026, featuring 89 MSME tenants at Vatulemo Square.