Tangerang, November 29, 2024 — XL Axiata Tbk (XL Axiata), through Sisternet, has held the 2024 Smart Capital Competition (KMP) for female MSME entrepreneurs in Indonesia. This year, KMP made a breakthrough by collaborating with Pendopo, a business brand inside the Kawan Lama Group, which is a subsidiary of PT Aspirasi Hidup Indonesia Tbk. Pendopo is a platform that curates native Indonesian items and preserves the country's cultural history, which involves over 250 MSMEs nationally. A total of 20 female MSMEs compete for a business capital reward of IDR 115 million. The Sisternet Smart Capital Competition winners, chosen from 1,700 MSME applicants, are 1st Place: Intan Rahmaningtyas, Lestari Jamuku (F&B), Jakarta, 2nd Place: Eva Sari Tampubolon, Pagilol (Accessories), Denpasar, 3rd Place: Fauzia Puspa Lestari, Gulali Books (Education), Bandung, 4th Place: Asmita, Hijasmita (Fashion), Jakarta
The judging was conducted on Thursday (November 28) at Pendopo Living World Alam Sutera in Tangerang. Several prominent Indonesian women attended, including Arifatul Choiri Fauzi, Minister for Women's Empowerment and Child Protection. Dian Siswarini, President Director and CEO of XL Axiata. Dewa Ayu Laksmi, Assistant Deputy for Economic PUG at the Ministry of Women's Empowerment, and Tasya Widya Krisnadi, Director of Pendopo.
Minister Arifatul Choiri Fauzi stated, "Women's entrepreneurship is an essential foundation for developing an inclusive and sustainable economy. Women have become the backbone of MSMEs, and by collaborating with the government, business sector, and society, we can improve access to resources and funds. Let us support women's creativity and innovation so that they can be financially independent while simultaneously empowering others and contributing to the nation's success."
Since it launched in 2021, KMP has been one of XL Axiata's key programs that encourage female MSMEs via Sisternet. To date, this program has empowered over 4,000 MSMEs, resulting in up to a 13% profit increase and a 75% acceptance rate of business digitalization. Dian Siswarini explained that the KMP 2024 judging event is more than simply a competition, it also allows participants to expand their knowledge and business networks.
Pendopo's collaboration educates female MSME finalists on how to prepare for joining the retail market. The finalists receive specific training on retail-ready product standards such as packaging, branding, and business management. Furthermore, Pendopo provides opportunity for KMP 2024 members to become tenants in Pendopo stores, giving them wider access to consumer markets.
Pendopo's Director, Tasya Widya Krisnadi, stated, "Pendopo highly appreciates this collaboration with XL Axiata through Sisternet to help the development of female MSMEs. This collaboration enables us to provide education and opportunity for finalists as they prepare to enter the retail business. We believe that MSMEs are a critical component of Indonesia's economy and a means of empowering women. With this support, we believe that local MSMEs will be able to compete in both national and worldwide markets."
Here are the 20 finalists from multiple cities in Indonesia, who will present their business concepts to the judges:
XL Axiata continues to support the development of female MSMEs in Indonesia by providing a variety of programs through Sisternet, as well as access to technology and digital services that can help them increase productivity, efficiency, and competitiveness in the digital age. Sisternet and its strategic collaboration with Pendopo have about 890,000 women in the Sisternet Application. The 2024 Smart Capital Competition Sisternet is expected to continue to support the growth and empowerment of women's MSMEs in Indonesia, making them more competitive in both domestic and international markets.