This explains why state-owned Bank PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI) is consistent in empowering MSMEs. And under BRI’s digital transformation program for MSMEs, one of BRI’s initiatives to grow MSMEs, these business players have made great strides in their sales performance as evidenced in the 2020 BRI UMKM EXPO (RT) BRILIANPRENEUR, an online exhibition featuring products by MSMEs in Jakarta.

BRI president director Sunarso said the exhibition facilitated purchasing contracts for MSMEs worth US$57.5 million, engaging 99 prospective buyers in trade deals. 

“They were from the United States, European Union, the Middle East, Japan and Australia. The figure increased by 74 percent from the contracts signed last year, which were worth $33 million.

“Overseas buyers that BRI invited virtually have signed 74 purchasing contracts worth $75.5 million.”

The MSME players that managed to get contracts included Els Coffee, Bluberry Guitars, Digidoy, Lampu Runa, JC’s Pottery, Indo Risakti, Abon Cap Koki, Wastraloka, Siger Jaya Abadi, Galeri Alekot and Wisanka.

“This is concrete evidence that BRI has empowered MSMEs to encourage them to climb to a higher class and expand abroad,” Sunarso said.

The 2020 BRILIANPRENEUR, through online shopping at Indonesia Mall and preorders, recorded a significant increase in sales from Rp 1.1 billion in 2019 to Rp 3.1 billion this year, or a three-fold increase, Sunarso said.

The achievements BRI made with its BRI MSMEs EXO (RT) BRILLIANPRENEUR this year is inseparable part from BRI’s endeavors to promote the products of participating MSMEs. To introduce a range of MSME products that are worth exporting, BRI promoted the products to 17 countries. 

Key to accelerating economic development

The exhibition was held in a hybrid manner from Dec. 1 to 15 in Jakarta and peaked from Dec. 10 to 13. The exhibition was conducted fully online through brilianpreneur.com and could also be visited directly at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC) under tight health protocols.

Over the course of two weeks, the virtual exhibition recorded 104,755 visitors. Apart from that, despite “new normal” limitations, hundreds of visitors enthusiastically witnessed the on-site exhibition.

Sunarso said BRI took advantage of this new normal in a more efficient way and achieved greater results, which was evidenced by the significant increase in the transaction volume. 

“What is important is not only the increased number of visitors, but also the purchase of products produced by the participating MSMEs,” he said.

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, who opened the 2020 BRILIANPRENEUR on Saturday, said in his opening speech that the pandemic required us to be creative, including MSMEs. The MSMEs had to be able to showcase more appealing products produced in a new and innovative way.

“I noticed many exhibitions have been organized by ministries, agencies and institutions, but I remind you that MSMEs should be able to use the opportunity to boost their transactions and export volume,” he said.

Apart from joining the hybrid exhibitions and various training, the participating MSMEs also took part in three competitions, namely for Best MSME Expo, Best Business Matching and the 2020 BRILian YounG Businesspeople award.

In the category of Best MSME Expo, the winners were Oma, Restu Mande, and Kultiva.co. In the category of Best Business Matching, the winners were PT Arung Jaya Perdana, PT Pelangi Indonesia and PT SUNandSAND. Finally, Naruna Ceramics (Semarang, Central Java), Havila Tea (Bandung, West Java), and Munofolk (Bandung) were the recipients of the 2020 BRILian Young Business People award for their role in accelerating BRI’s business. 

“Looking ahead, BRI is committed to holding similar programs to enable more MSMEs to grow and gain international recognition,” Sunarso said.

MSME development is a key to expediting economic recovery.

“Bank BRI is committed to organizing similar events involving more MSMEs and more foreign potential buyers to encourage Indonesian MSMEs to go global,” Sunarso said.

For further information on BRI, please visit bri.co.id or contact:

Aestika Oryza Gunarto, corporate secretary

Phone: 021-575-1966

Fax : 021-570-091

Email: humas@bri.co.id

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