HARIANEXPRESS – Bank Indonesia (BI) and the North Sumatra Provincial Government (Pemprov Sumut) recently affirmed their joint commitment to enhancing Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) at the peak of the Karya Kreatif Sumatera Utara (KKSU) 2026 event. Held at Delipark Mall, Medan, the event on Tuesday, 28 July 2026, at 10:40 WIB, marked the culmination of various initiatives including trade contract signings and business matching sessions. This collaboration aims to significantly expand market access and financing for local businesses, preparing them to scale up and enter global markets.
BI and North Sumatra Provincial Government Boost MSME Competitiveness
The KKSU 2026 pinnacle featured trade contract signings between MSMEs, aggregators, and players from the hotel and restaurant industry. Concurrently, business matching for financing with banks had been conducted throughout the period of January to July 2026. This series of events highlighted a unified dedication to offering MSMEs broader market exposure and funding prospects.
Key officials observed the event directly, including Deputy Governor of Bank Indonesia, Thomas A.M. Djiwandono, alongside North Sumatra Governor, M. Afif Bobby Nasution, and Head of BI North Sumatra Representative, Ameriza M. Moesa. Their presence underscored the vital importance of these collaborative endeavors.
Driven by the vision of strengthening a competitive MSME ecosystem, KKSU 2026 showcased over 300 leading MSMEs from diverse regions across Sumatra. This initiative serves as a tangible expression of synergy among Bank Indonesia, local government, and various stakeholders, aimed at bolstering MSME competitiveness as a new engine for inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
A range of activities was organized to broaden promotion and market access for MSMEs during KKSU 2026. These included the Sumatra Coffee Journey, an international-scale coffee exhibition, and the Medan Fashion Trend, which highlighted collaborations in traditional Indonesian textile fashion. Furthermore, a North Sumatra Culinary Exhibition introduced the region’s rich culinary heritage to the public, businesses, and investors, both domestically and internationally.
“Through KKSU, Bank Indonesia implements three main strategies in MSME development: encouraging credit distribution to priority sectors via macroprudential liquidity policies, enhancing MSME capacity through various development programs including MANGULOSI, and expanding payment digitalization to strengthen transaction efficiency and financial inclusion.”
Thomas emphasized that reinforcing local MSME products is strategically crucial for sustaining North Sumatra’s economic growth. This importance stems from household consumption remaining the largest contributor to the region’s economic expansion.
“The close collaboration between the North Sumatra Provincial Government and Bank Indonesia is an important factor in strengthening the promotion of superior regional products through various strategic events. This synergy is expected to accelerate MSMEs in leveling up, increasing competitiveness, and making an even greater contribution to North Sumatra’s economy.”
Meanwhile, Head of BI North Sumatra Province, Ameriza M. Moesa, explained that KKSU has evolved into a strategic platform. It connects MSME actors with various business partners, financial institutions, communities, associations, and potential buyers.
“KKSU is not merely a platform for promoting MSME products, but also a collaborative space that strengthens synergy among business actors with various strategic partners to increase business capacity, expand market access, and encourage North Sumatra MSMEs to further ‘level up’ in national and global markets.”
The KKSU 2026 event series spanned from July 15 to July 26, 2026. During its duration, successful trade business matching transactions reached Rp83 billion between MSMEs, global buyers, aggregators, and the hotel, restaurant, and cafe (Horeka) sectors. Additionally, MSME financing commitments totaling Rp22 billion were secured from banking and non-bank financial institutions.
As part of efforts to strengthen the culture-based creative economy, the opening of KKSU 2026 also featured a fashion show. Designer Gregorius Vici from the Indonesia Fashion Chamber (IFC) presented **North Sumatra’s traditional textiles** in modern designs. This presentation symbolized the synergy between cultural preservation, design innovation, and the enhancement of the creative industry as a new source of economic growth.
