PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - The Mayor of Bandung, Muhammad Farhan, assessed that all Regional National Craft Councils (Dekranasda) of regencies and cities in West Java must strengthen collaboration in product development and market expansion for craftsmen and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

This was conveyed by Farhan when welcoming the Chairperson of the West Java Province Dekranasda along with all Dekranasda Chairpersons from 27 districts/cities throughout West Java in the context of the 2026 West Java Province Dekranasda Regional Working Meeting (Rakerda) in Bandung City.

According to Farhan, the Dekranasda Regional Working Meeting should be a space for building mutually complementary and strengthening cooperation between regions.

"This regional working meeting is a platform for collaboration between cities and regencies across West Java. Dekranasda, in particular, must be a complementary and mutually reinforcing collaboration," said Farhan at the Bandung City Hall on Tuesday (September 15, 2026).

He envisions that this collaboration can be realized through the exchange of business actors and products between regions.

MSMEs from various districts/cities in West Java can be given space to introduce their products in other areas, including through the Bandung City Dekranasda Gallery.

Farhan believes that this pattern can open up opportunities for product development while expanding market access.

"We in Bandung may be so preoccupied with Bandung that we sometimes forget there's something new in Garut, something new in Tasikmalaya, something new in Bogor, and perhaps even our neighbors in Cimahi. Perhaps there's something new," he said.

Conversely, Farhan also encouraged Bandung-based products to expand their market to other areas in West Java. He believes product marketing doesn't always have to be centered in Bandung.

He gave an example, products from Bandung City have the opportunity to have a market in Banjar City, Pangandaran Regency, Indramayu Regency, and other regions.

"These opportunities must become a platform for cooperation and collaboration between us. This platform must be fostered through intense communication," said Farhan.

He hopes that the Dekranasda administrators in 27 districts/cities will have an active communication forum, especially in product development and market development.

Farhan believes that strengthening this sector is crucial for driving economic growth in West Java, including the city of Bandung.

He stated that Bandung City's economic growth before the Covid-19 pandemic was around 7.2 percent, while currently it is around 5.76 percent.

"We in Bandung haven't recovered yet. We're still struggling," he said.

According to Farhan, in addition to the services, trade, education, and creative economy sectors that have long been Bandung's strengths, the manufacturing sector also needs to be strengthened. Current manufacturing growth is only around 0.2 percent.

Therefore, the Bandung City Government is encouraging the growth of medium and small-scale manufacturing industries as an effort to stimulate the economy from the business actor level.

One of the supports being strengthened is access to financing for MSMEs through People's Business Credit (KUR) in collaboration with Bank BJB.

Farhan stated that the Bandung City Government had previously matched more than 100 prospective KUR recipients with a financing commitment of Rp10.3 billion. To date, the actual disbursement of this funding has reached approximately Rp2.4 billion.

"We will continue to push for this. This development will also serve as a platform for financial cooperation, access to capital, and upgrading business actors to become bankable," he said.

According to Farhan, the process of becoming a bankable business actor also encourages MSMEs to improve business governance, starting from bookkeeping, preparing business plans to healthy financial management.

Farhan hopes that the 2026 West Java Provincial Dekranasda Regional Working Meeting will produce concrete steps to strengthen artisans and MSMEs so they can grow further.

"Hopefully, this will yield results that will ensure that Dekranasda is always there to help artisans and MSMEs advance, expand their markets, improve product quality, and create better economic opportunities for the people of West Java," he said.

(Bandung City Communications and Information Service/rka)