SGE 2026 Records IDR 7.75 Billion in Transactions, Surabaya MSMEs Eye Wider Markets

The Surabaya Great Expo (SGE) 2026 recorded an economic turnover of IDR 7.751 billion over its five-day run. The exhibition, held at the Grand City Surabaya Exhibition Hall from 5 to 9 August 2026, served not only as a transaction space but was also directed at strengthening the business ecosystem through product marketing, legality, business networking, and the opening of wider market opportunities.

The 15th edition of SGE attracted 48,022 visitors. Of the total economic turnover, direct transactions reached IDR 5.05 billion, whilst potential indirect business transactions amounted to IDR 2.701 billion. This achievement surpassed the Surabaya City Government’s initial target, which projected transactions of IDR 7 billion with around 47,650 visitors over five days.

Surabaya Mayor Eri Cahyadi stated that the need for marketing space for MSMEs is evident from the accumulated SGE transactions over the past four years. Throughout 2022-2025, SGE recorded a transaction turnover of more than IDR 30.3 billion. During the same period, around 370 MSMEs fostered by the Surabaya City Government were facilitated through the event.

“SGE has moved more than IDR 30 billion over the past few years. Each exhibition averages a turnover of IDR 7 billion to IDR 9 billion,” Eri said in a recorded statement on Wednesday (5/8/2026).

According to him, the facilitation does not stop at providing stands. Around 450 business legalities were also encouraged through the issuance of Business Identification Numbers (NIB), halal certification, and brand registration.

“This shows that a place for MSMEs to market their products is indeed very much needed,” he said.

However, the Surabaya City Government does not want SGE’s function to stop at promotional activities. Eri underlined that MSMEs need more fundamental support to grow and enter wider markets.

Therefore, business legality is a key part of the MSME development concept through SGE. Moreover, the products marketed are expected not only to be attractive in terms of packaging and quality but also to have a business foundation that allows MSME players to expand their markets.

“This exhibition is not just about displaying and selling products. How we provide halal certificates, help with brand certificates, this is what MSMEs really need. The government’s job is to facilitate,” he said.

Eri also assessed that SGE is a momentum to introduce local Surabaya products to the public and tourists. According to him, the quality of local products needs to be continuously introduced so that the public has more choices whilst increasing demand for Surabaya MSME products.

“The city government must also act as a marketer for MSMEs. Local Surabaya products, both clothing and food, must be shown to the public to demonstrate that their quality is excellent and can be a choice for residents and tourists alike,” he stressed.

This approach simultaneously expands the role of the Surabaya City Government in the MSME ecosystem. The city government is not only tasked with making policies and providing assistance but also with opening access so that products produced by business players can meet the market.

A similar concept was applied at SGE 2026 by combining trading activities with public services. Visitors could not only view and buy products but also obtain licensing services, halal certification assistance, brand registration, and even passport services.

Eri described the concept as ‘one stop shopping’. With this concept, the public can fulfil their consumption needs whilst taking care of various administrative requirements in one place.

“So people can enjoy food, see and buy clothes, and at the same time receive public services. Going forward, we will hold activities like this more often to market Surabaya’s MSMEs,” he said.

The next challenge is ensuring that this market access is not only open during the five days of SGE. The Surabaya City Government is preparing the Surabaya Urban Creative Hub (Sub Expocenter) in the former Hi-Tech Mall area as a space to bring together business players and the market.

This facility is directed at accommodating young people engaged in the creative economy and digital industry. Local products, creativity, and technology-based business development will be placed within a single ecosystem.

“At the Sub Expocenter, young people engaged in the creative and digital economy will be facilitated. Local Surabaya products, youth creativity, and the creative economy will be gathered there,” he explained.

Eri even encouraged that the MSME exhibition pattern be held approximately every three months. With a more routine frequency, business players do not have to wait a full year to obtain promotional space again.

“So there is a place to display MSME goods, for the public to see, and to market them. When we facilitate, the economic movement will run by itself,” he explained.

Thus, the Surabaya City Government simply needs to open access and provide space. Subsequently, business players are expected to be able to utilise this opportunity to develop their businesses independently.

“If the government has facilitated, the MSMEs will move on their own. That is why we must frequently hold facilitative activities,” he said.

The Head of the Surabaya Cooperatives, Small and Medium Enterprises and Trade Office (Dinkopumdag), Mia Santi Dewi, said SGE is a strategic space to bring together business players, buyers, and the community.

Through the theme Surabaya Business Start, the Surabaya City Government aims to make SGE a space that produces productive business networks, not just momentary trading activity.

“We hope the impact does not stop at transactions during the exhibition, but continues into sustainable business growth,” said Mia.

This view became increasingly relevant after SGE closed on Sunday evening (9/8/2026). According to Mia, the end of the physical event should not be interpreted as the end of the business opportunities that have been created.