With BNI's Support, Nusantara Cuisine Flourishes in the Netherlands

Introducing authentic Indonesian flavours to the international market requires more than just cooking skills. It takes the courage to build a business abroad and the support of a partner that can accompany sustainable business growth. This spirit is reflected in the journey of Suprapti, the owner of Waroeng Padang Lapek in The Hague, Netherlands. Driven by a love for Minangkabau cuisine, Suprapti has developed her business into one of the Indonesian restaurants recognised by both the local community and the Indonesian diaspora.

In this journey, PT Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) Tbk, or BNI, provided financing support to strengthen the business capacity of Waroeng Padang Lapek. This support has bolstered operational development, both for the restaurant and central kitchen in The Hague, as well as for the planned opening of a new branch in Amsterdam in 2026. Established on 3 October 2019, Waroeng Padang Lapek offers a variety of authentic Minangkabau dishes. Located on Schoolstraat 26 in The Hague, the restaurant maintains original Padang recipes, from rendang and gulai tunjang to paru balado, gulai jengkol, and kue lupis.

This consistency in preserving authentic flavours has earned a positive reception from both the Indonesian community in the Netherlands and local customers. "From the beginning, we wanted to present Padang cuisine with a truly authentic taste. The response we have received shows that Indonesian culinary arts have a special place in the hearts of the Dutch people," said Suprapti. As demand increased, Waroeng Padang Lapek continued to strengthen its business capacity. One step taken was operating a central kitchen at Mercuriusweg 70, The Hague, as a food production and distribution centre. To further strengthen this business development, BNI provided an additional credit facility in 2025, used to purchase the central kitchen property that was previously rented, while also reinforcing the business foundation to support the restaurant’s expansion in The Hague and the opening of a new branch in Amsterdam.

Separately, BNI President Director Putrama Wahju Setyawan stated that the journey of Waroeng Padang Lapek demonstrates the significant potential of the Indonesian diaspora in promoting the nation’s culture through business activities. "We appreciate Suprapti’s spirit in introducing the richness of Indonesian cuisine in the Netherlands. For BNI, supporting the Indonesian diaspora is not just about providing access to financing, but also about being a partner that helps business actors strengthen their business capacity and expand their reach in the global market," he said. According to Putrama, strengthening production capacity and network expansion are crucial stages for business actors to serve a wider market without compromising product quality. He added that the development of Waroeng Padang Lapek is an example of how collaboration between the banking sector and business actors can create added value for businesses while strengthening the existence of Indonesian products and culture internationally.

Entering its 80th year under the theme Swadharma Bhakti Nagara, BNI continues to strengthen its role as a growth partner for Indonesian business actors, including the diaspora developing businesses in various countries. As part of the Danantara Indonesia ecosystem, BNI will continue to deliver adaptive and integrated financial solutions to support more Indonesian business actors in expanding their markets and bringing the nation’s products, culture, and identity to the global stage.

BNI is also continuously developing digital banking services to help customers manage finances, allocate funds based on needs, and plan various family financial goals. The benefits of this service were felt by Agis Sukma Sejati, a BNI customer and one of the winners of a motorcycle prize in the 2025 wondr BNI programme. Agis uses the wondr by BNI application to manage savings and separate daily needs funds from long-term financial plans. According to Agis, increasing family responsibilities require more disciplined and planned financial management. The ease of accessing banking services through the application has helped him maintain consistency in saving. Agis also believes that digital services provide flexibility because banking activities can be done anytime. For him, banking services are not only used for saving and transacting but are also part of the process of building better financial habits. "If a family is likened to a team climbing a mountain of dreams, BNI is a partner that provides supplies so our journey feels more directed. With easy and practical service support, we can focus more on realising our family’s aspirations step by step," he said.

Meanwhile, BNI President Director Putrama Wahju Setyawan said that changes in customer behaviour in managing finances, as reflected in Agis’s experience, are one of the drivers of BNI’s service transformation. According to Putrama, banking now plays a role not only as a place to store funds but also as a partner that helps customers build better financial habits. "We are proud when BNI’s services can be part of the customer’s journey. For us, success is not only measured by the number of transactions, but also by the extent to which the services we present can help Indonesian families manage their finances more wisely, realise future plans, and go through every step with greater peace of mind," he said. Through the development of digital services, BNI seeks to help customers manage their finances more practically, build healthy financial habits, and prepare for future needs in a more planned manner.