When MSMEs, Capital and Technology Move Together

If there is one interesting lesson to be learned from Karya Kreatif Indonesia (KKI) 2026, it is that the development of MSMEs is never determined by a single factor. For years, discussions about MSMEs often stopped at the issue of capital. When a business struggled to grow, the solution was considered simple: increase financing.

In fact, the journey of a business is not much different from the process of growing a tree. Good seeds still require fertile soil, sufficient air, and adequate sunlight. Without a supportive environment, growth will not occur optimally.

This perspective is increasingly relevant when looking at the position of MSMEs in the Indonesian economy. Behind small stalls, craft businesses, culinary ventures, and creative products that are increasingly in demand, there are millions of business actors struggling to face technological changes, shifts in consumer behaviour, and increasingly fierce competition. Many of them need financing, but not a few also need financial literacy, market access, technology utilisation, and even sustainable business mentoring.

KKI 2026 demonstrated that Indonesian MSME development is beginning to move in a more holistic direction. Through various agendas such as Gebyar Pembiayaan, Inclusion Talk, and Innovation Talk, it was evident how financing, women’s empowerment, and digital transformation are positioned as part of a mutually reinforcing ecosystem. Not three separate agendas, but three wheels driving the same vehicle.

This approach is important because the quality of an ecosystem is often more decisive than the size of the assistance provided. Capital can be used up within months, but knowledge, business networks, and adaptability can provide far longer benefits. This is where the role of various MSME development programmes becomes increasingly strategic, especially when directed at building a stronger and more sustainable business foundation.

When Financing Meets Business Readiness

Financing remains one of the primary needs of MSMEs. However, healthy financing is not sufficiently measured by the amount of funds disbursed. What is more important is how those funds can improve business capacity and create sustainable growth.

At KKI 2026, Bank Indonesia facilitated MSME financing business matching which, as of July 2026, had reached Rp285 billion. This figure comprised inclusive financing of Rp150 billion and sustainable financing of Rp135 billion. This achievement shows that financing needs remain substantial, while also demonstrating the high interest of financial institutions in supporting quality MSME development.

However, these figures are only part of a larger story. The real challenge for MSMEs does not always lie in the supply of funds. Many business actors actually have superior products but are not yet able to present adequate financial reports. Others have potential markets but have not yet built a business track record that can reassure financial institutions.

Therefore, the approach used increasingly emphasises improving business readiness. Various instruments such as the Financial Information Recording Application System (SIAPIK) help MSMEs produce better and more standardised financial reports. Throughout the first half of 2026, SIAPIK has helped 63,396 MSMEs improve their business record-keeping.

This strengthening is reinforced through the Input Data Application System (BISAID), which provides profiles of potential MSMEs for financial institutions to access. With more complete and transparent information, the process of matching MSMEs with sources of financing becomes more effective. This approach shows that access to capital is not only about the availability of funds, but also about the quality of information and business readiness.

Bank Indonesia’s role in this context is interesting to observe. Rather than focusing on direct financing functions, Bank Indonesia takes the position of a catalyst connecting various stakeholders. From strengthening business capacity, providing information, to connectivity with the financial sector, the entire process is designed to ensure that financing truly becomes a tool for growth, not merely a short-term injection of funds.

Not Just Online, Digital Transformation for MSMEs to Level Up

Besides financing, KKI 2026 also reminded that the face of Indonesian MSMEs cannot be separated from the role of women. Data from the Central Statistics Agency shows that around 64.5 percent of MSME operators in Indonesia are managed by women. In the creative economy sector, women also account for around 58.39 percent of the workforce. These figures illustrate that women’s empowerment is not merely a social agenda, but also an economic agenda with a very large impact.

Nevertheless, this significant role has not always been accompanied by equal access to financing, technology, or business knowledge. Many women MSME operators still face limitations in obtaining formal financial services or broader business development opportunities. Therefore, the Inclusion Talk held as part of KKI 2026 served as a reminder that inclusive economic growth must begin with expanding opportunities for groups that have long been the backbone of family and community economies.

This commitment is evident from the launch of a Bank Indonesia study with Women’s World Banking on gender-responsive inclusive business models. This study highlights the importance of strengthening access, participation, control, and benefits for women in economic activities. With such an approach, women’s empowerment is no longer merely a slogan, but a concrete strategy for building a more resilient and equitable economy.