PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - The Bandung City Government opened the 2026 Bandung Shopping Month through the Bandung Creative Market at Paris Van Java Mall by involving 339 local business actors to expand product marketing, increase MSME sales, and stimulate the regional economy (8/6/2026).

The program is part of the Bandung City Government's strategy to strengthen the trade and tourism sectors through a series of shopping festivals running from June to August 2026.

Bandung Mayor Muhammad Farhan said the Bandung Creative Market is one of the main agendas prepared to attract tourists and increase transactions of local products.

"This is the result of months of preparation. Since June, we've held various shopping festivals. This Creative Market is one of the initial highlights," said Farhan.

According to Farhan, the momentum of increasing tourist visits must be balanced with the readiness of creative products that can provide an interesting shopping experience for visitors.

"Tourists who come to Bandung shouldn't leave empty-handed. Infrastructure is the government's responsibility, but the shopping experience is the responsibility of businesses," he said.

He believes that Bandung City's strength lies in the creativity of its business owners who are able to produce products with strong character and added value.

"Creative work must have passion and feeling. That's what sets Bandung apart from other cities. We may be lacking in infrastructure, but when it comes to creativity and soulfulness, Bandung excels," he said.

Farhan also emphasized the importance of maintaining product availability to prevent growing public demand from triggering price increases.

"Our homework is on supply. Purchasing power is good, but production must be increased to keep prices stable," he said.

Head of the Bandung City Trade and Industry Agency, Ronny Ahmad Nurudin, explained that the 2026 Bandung Creative Market involved 169 fashion businesses, 78 craft businesses, and 92 culinary businesses.

As many as 40 percent of the participants involved were new business actors who had the opportunity to introduce their products to a wider market.

Ronny said the activity would be held in rotation at eight shopping centers until early August 2026.

In the previous year's event, the Bandung Creative Market program recorded a turnover of Rp10.1 billion, involving more than 300 business actors.

In addition to the Bandung Creative Market, the 2026 Bandung Shopping Month series also includes the Indonesia Shopping Festival, Indonesian Discount Shopping Day, and the Bandung Great Sale, which are expected to increase economic transactions in the community.

Ronny said the involvement of the government, business actors, and shopping center managers opens up greater promotional opportunities for MSMEs to grow.

"When businesses grow, employment increases and the regional economy becomes stronger," he said.

This program is expected to encourage increased MSME turnover, create new job opportunities, and strengthen Bandung City's position as a shopping and creative economy tourism destination.

(Bandung City Communications and Information Service/bhf)