Manokwari – The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) of West Papua held a socialization event titled “Kadin–Banking Synergy in Optimizing KUR Distribution in West Papua” at Billy Cafe, Manokwari, West Papua, on Wednesday (April 15, 2026).

In her opening remarks, Chairwoman of Kadin West Papua, Suriyati Faisal, emphasized that the People’s Business Credit (KUR) program holds a strategic role in driving regional economic growth.

She noted that the program serves as one of the government’s key instruments in strengthening the MSME sector, which has long been the backbone of the local economy.

“The distribution of KUR is not merely about financing; it is part of a broader effort to stimulate regional economic activity. MSMEs are the foundation of our economy, including in Manokwari and West Papua as a whole,” Suriyati stated.

Suriyati explained that West Papua has significant economic potential across trade, agriculture, and creative industries. However, this potential has yet to be fully optimized due to limited access to capital and low levels of financial literacy.

According to her, many business actors—particularly MSMEs and Papua’s younger generation—possess ideas and capabilities but are unable to scale their businesses due to financial constraints.

“We see many young Papuans, especially in West Papua, who actually have great potential. They are creative and motivated, but often face barriers in accessing financing,” she said.

Therefore, through this socialization initiative, Kadin West Papua aims to provide comprehensive understanding of the KUR program, including its requirements, application mechanisms, and the benefits available to business actors.

“We want MSMEs to clearly understand how to access KUR, what the requirements are, and how to utilize it to sustainably grow their businesses,” she added.

Suriyati also stressed the importance of a mindset shift among Papua’s younger generation. She encouraged millennials not only to seek employment but also to become job creators.

“Do not rely solely on becoming civil servants or honorary staff. Opportunities in those sectors are increasingly limited, especially with the current budget efficiency policies,” she said.

She added that this situation should serve as momentum for young people to enter entrepreneurship and take advantage of the facilities provided by the government, including the KUR program.

“This is precisely the opportunity to become pioneers of entrepreneurship. The facilities are already provided by the government; it is up to us to utilize them responsibly,” she remarked.

Furthermore, Suriyati reaffirmed Kadin West Papua’s commitment to continue serving as a strategic partner to the government and as a bridge between the business community and financial institutions. She stressed that Kadin’s role goes beyond being an organization—it also ensures that business actors gain proper access to financing.

“We want to ensure that programs like KUR are truly well-targeted and directly benefit the community, especially indigenous Papuans,” she said.

On the same occasion, Head of the West Papua Provincial Office for Cooperatives and MSMEs, Sarce M. Meidodga, expressed appreciation for Kadin West Papua’s initiative, which she described as proactive in strengthening the MSME sector.

She highlighted that cross-sector collaboration is essential to address the challenges faced by business actors, particularly in terms of access to capital and business capacity development.

“The government cannot work alone. Support from Kadin and the banking sector is crucial to ensure that MSMEs not only gain access to financing but also receive proper business assistance,” she concluded.