Government connects 1,000 Bali creative economy SMEs with capital access

The government is connecting 1,000 creative economy SMEs in Bali with access to People’s Business Credit (KUR) funding. “1,000 SMEs have signed KUR agreements, which is proof that the Minister of SMEs and the Minister of Creative Economy are continuously present and working to serve so that through BRI and other banks, financial funding access is provided to our SMEs,” said Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment Affairs Muhaimin Iskandar. In Badung Regency on Wednesday, Muhaimin explained that this KUR assistance is important amid various global challenges, as SMEs are the backbone of Indonesia that must keep moving forward. “Therefore, I invite all ministries and institutions, financial institutions, and regional governments like this successful Bali model to be duplicated across various regional governments, total collaboration to provide adequate services and using data facts that on average our SMEs indeed need (KUR) to work, not to be misused,” he stated. The government is determined to continue finding solutions so that amid global economic pressures, SMEs and the creative economy continue to grow and advance. “In the last 15 years, our industry has faced various obstacles; we know that the heroes who will provide economic solutions are SMEs that support amid the stagnant industrial conditions, so the stagnation in the business world must be addressed with collaboration that fosters productivity and elevates the class of all SME actors,” said the Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment. Deputy for Entrepreneurship at the Ministry of SMEs Riza Damanik added that in this event, KUR provision is focused on creative economy SMEs with channeling institutions being BRI, BPD Bali, KSP Guna Prima Dana, Pegadaian, BNI, Bank Mandiri, and Bank Mandiri Taspen. Meanwhile, in Bali Province alone, KUR disbursements for 2026 have reached Rp4.1 trillion, reaching 49,800 SME debtors, with disbursements to the creative economy reaching Rp597 billion. Regarding this event, Bali’s Deputy Governor I Nyoman Giri Prasta expressed thanks, noting that in 2025, KUR disbursements in Bali amounted to Rp10.6 trillion, touching 103,549 debtors. With the presence of ministries/institutions as connectors this year, it will further strengthen capital access, especially in the creative economy sector, which is also a pillar of Bali’s economy.