West Papua records IDR 1.2 billion in MSME transactions during Pesparawi

The Provincial Government of West Papua recorded that transactions for micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) products during the National Ecclesiastical Choir Festival (Pesparawi) XIV in Manokwari, held from 18 to 28 June 2026, reached approximately IDR 1.2 billion. Head of the West Papua Tourism Office, Jafar Werfete, stated on Monday that sales of handicraft products such as noken woven bags, miniature traditional houses, and Papuan batik made the most significant contribution compared to culinary and other products. “We recorded direct transactions totalling approximately IDR 1.2 billion,” said Jafar, who served as the committee chair for the Pesparawi XIV MSME exhibition. He noted that this achievement serves as a benchmark for the regional government in designing future events or festivals that positively impact the development of the tourism and MSME sectors across West Papua. The regional government will collaborate with various communities and ministries/institutions, such as the XVIII/Kasuari Regional Military Command, which will soon hold the Raimuti Festival in Manokwari from 6 August 2026. “We had targeted direct spending transactions of around IDR 600 million for the MSME exhibition during Pesparawi, but the realisation exceeded the target. This is a very good outcome,” he said. The provincial government is currently focusing on developing ecotourism with a culture-based landscape approach that prioritises the diversity of cultural values, history, customs, and the local identity of indigenous Papuan communities. Two priority tourism destinations, based on the national medium-term development plan and the regional medium-term development plan, are the Triton Bay area in Kaimana and the Arfak Mountains nature reserve. “Tourism development has a multiplier effect on other sectors, such as MSMEs. Therefore, cross-sector collaboration is essential,” he added. He emphasised that the development of the Triton Bay marine tourism area in Kaimana Regency and the nature tourism in the Arfak Mountains, which boasts rich biodiversity, must adhere to the core 3A concept: attractions, accessibility, and amenities. Applying the 3A concept is crucial because tourism sector development should not only focus on increasing tourist arrivals but also on delivering sustainable economic benefits to local communities. “We are aware that West Papua not only possesses natural beauty and culture, but also many MSME players selling products that are distinctly Papuan,” he said.