SME Academy Resources
BICG helps organizations and communities market their products. Specific assistance includes market research, feasibility studies, marketing, training in business skills and social responsibility, and guidance in outsourcing. BICG has projects in Bali, Aceh, Nias and Eastern Indonesia.
Launched in 2007, this government program expands access to loans to the informal sector including to smaller businesses and household and micro-enterprises. The government guarantees 70% of loans and the bank is responsible for the remaining 30%. The loans are in the form of capital loans or investments with a credit limit of 5-500 million rupiah. Various banks offer these loans including Bank Rakyat Indonesia, Bank Negara Indonesia, Bank Bukopin, Bank Mandiri, and Bank Syariah Mandiri.
BEDO’s mission is “to empower Indonesian SME’s to reach international standard quality by providing training and sharing information and skills.” The organization focuses on handicrafts, home furnishing and décor, fashion, textiles, and jewelry. Programs include an export coaching program, which provides technical assistance and training in areas including market entry, publicity, and export marketing.
Indonesia’s premier association of women’s enterprises has over 30,000 members across 33 provinces, each with a regional representative council. Members represent a range of sectors including fashion, food (catering), cosmetics, education, handicrafts, garments, and wedding decorations. IWAPI’s three main priorities are (1) to improve human resource competencies through training and courses; (2) to expand product marketing networks through bazaars as well as national and international exhibitions; and (3) to facilitate access to capital. IWAPI also works to build members’ capacity in packaging, marketing, and IT. Since 1980, the IWAPI Education Center has offered a variety of coursework opportunities, with general business skills, catering and garments being the subject-matter areas most in demand for training.
EuroBali aims to boost trade between Bali and the EU; build export-oriented jobs among SMEs; provide updates on overseas markets; and raise awareness of business environments in both regions. Project activities include management and export trainings; a handbook on “How to export to the European Union;” creation of a EuroBali Export Network Office; trade exhibitions; and consultation services. Via EuroBali’s portal, exporters can promote up to 25 items which are visible to overseas buyers with a focus on furniture, jewelry, handicrafts, and garments.
Knowledge Hub, located in Bandar Seri Begawan, was established in 2010 as a research and development facility focused on technology. Its activities include an ICT Leadership and Management Academy, the TechOne Global/Microsoft for Microsoft Experience Centre, UBD/IBM for Climate Modelling Research Centre, and the Ministry of Defense for National Modeling and Simulation Centre.
Established in 2008, the iCentre center is Brunei Darussalam’s first ICT incubation center. It supports ICT entrepreneurs to create domestically-produced products and applications. Specific services include professional workspace, business advising, mentorship, networking events, and connections to potential partners and clients.
BEDB’s mission is “to growth and diversify Brunei Darussalam’s Economy by Attracting Investments and Strengthening local businesses enabled through research and innovation.” In order to accomplish this, BEDB focuses in four key areas: building investments, strengthening businesses, encouraging innovation and R&D, and supporting infrastructure projects. BEDB supports entrepreneurs’ capacity to integrate technology into their businesses and in supporting tech start-ups. BEDB offers an SME Guidebook that includes all the government financing schemes available for Brunei Darussalam-based SMEs. BEDB supports a number of initiative along these lines that are detailed below.
Initiated in 2008, OneBiz is an online one-stop, “single government window” that allows businesses to apply for the necessary business licenses online in accordance with the government’s Business Licensing System (BLS). Through OneBiz, business owners can: 1. Search for applicable licenses; 2. Apply for multiple licenses at one time using the integrated form; 3. Update their information on licenses; 4. Renew licenses; 4. Terminate licenses; 5. Pay for multiple licenses through one transaction. The government has also created Business Facilitation Centers (BFC) that provide facilities for businesses to apply for licenses through OneBiz and also include payment counters and a helpdesk. Each district has one BFC.
LiveWIRE Brunei is an international program designed to encourage youth entrepreneurship.. LiveWIRE was launched in response to the Brunei Darussalam Economic Council (BEDC)’s work to build infrastructure for enterprise development. Program services include a “bright ideas workshop” to foster understanding of business ideas; “Become a Successful Owner/Manager” program that provides start up skills and business management practice; business awards to recognize outstanding entrepreneurs; “Leadership Camp” to develop business skills; “Business Plan Series” to assist in business plan development; forum and dialogues promote conversation with successful entrepreneurs; “SME weekend promotion”; “Business Counselling Support”; and business seminars to further business support. LiveWIRE also runs a cooperative fishing project which both brings income to the local economy and provides young people with experience in running a business.