JAKARTA – Hundreds of Indonesian best MSMEs will show off their works at BRI UMKM EXPO(RT) BRILIANPRENEUR. Pushing forward the title “Crafting Global Connection”, BRI UMKM EXPO(RT) BRILIANPRENEUR 2023 will be held at Jakarta Convention Centre (JCC) on December 7-10, 2023.

This year marks the fifth year of this exhibition, which aims to strategically promote brands and businesses of MSMEs, and thus enabling them to expand its network to global supply chain. Sunarso, CEO of BRI, invites people to attend this expo, which is one of the biggest MSME exhibitions. Through this event, it is expected that MSMEs could gain more export opportunities and chances to penetrate the international market, even more so while considering how MSMEs are the backbone of Indonesia’s economy.

“The BRI UMKM EXPO(RT) BRILIANPRENEUR program serves as a concrete step initiated by BRI, as a financial institution that also bears the responsibility of promoting Indonesian MSMEs. BRI notices a huge opportunity for Indonesian products to enter the global market. The works of locals are considered to have a quality that could compete with products from other countries,” Sunarso explained.

This year, the spirit of MSME players in Indonesia seems to increase compared to previous years. It is indicated through higher interest seen in participants. There are 168% increase in the number of registered MSMEs compared to last year. Approximately 3,183 MSMEs have registered through blilianpreneur.com website.

As for this year’s exhibition, BRI invites 700 curated MSMEs, consisting of 378 newly registered MSMEs; 122 BRILIANPRENEUR alumni; 6 MSMEs under subsidiaries of BRI, such as Pegadaian, PNM, and BRI Ventures; and 153 Local Heroes MSMEs, which have earned the market leader status and are expected to extend its business impact and connection to enable more collaborations with other MSMEs. There are also 32 MSMEs that are members of SCAI (Specialty Coffee Association of Indonesia), 9 SMExcellence MSMEs under the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs. The SMEs originate from various regions, and they will feature their latest and best products.

There are five categories that may participate in UMKM EXPO(RT) BRILIANPRENEUR: Home Decor & Craft, Food & Beverage, Accessories & Beauty, dan Fashion & Wastra, as well as Healthcare/Wellness.

Curating process includes the design of product innovation, social and environmental impact, export capability, as well as achievement and appreciation obtained by participating MSMEs. This year’s UMKM EXPO(RT) BRILIANPRENEUR features curated Indonesian MSMEs that have meet global standard, yet still rely on local resources, empower local communities, and raise environmental awareness.

This year’s event is also completed with a series of attractive and essential events, namely MSMEs’ product showcase, bazaar, business matching, consultation corner, MSME Award, live shopping, entertainment & art installation, podcast, talkshow, and creative lab.

Meanwhile, Director of Small and Medium Business of BRI, Amam Sukriyanto, also mentioned that in order to realise MSMEs’ sales globally, BRI establishes six overseas offices that have cooperated with 1,200 banks. “BRI also provides MSMEs with various trainings held prior to business matching. We hope that there will be commitment of MSMEs’ product purchasing, thus extending global market access,” he stated.

As is known, at last year’s UMKM EXPO(RT) BRILIANPRENEUR, MSME players gained a chance to explore partnership with potential buyers from different countries via business matching. For this year, virtual business matching took place from November 27-29, 2023. BRI also targets potential virtual markets in many countries, including Japan, Hongkong, the UAE, Taiwan, Malaysia, South Korea, the US, Mexico, Canada, the Netherlands, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, and others. (*/ZH)