Dekranasda Collaboration for Greater Bandung Region Enriches Community Economy

The head of the Bandung City Dekranasda, Yunimar Mulyana, warmly welcomed this collaboration. For him, collaboration between Dekranasda is very necessary to improve the community's economy.

"The KBB is collaborating with the Mercure Hotel to showcase MSME businesses throughout Greater Bandung from KBB, Bandung Regency, Bandung City, and Cimahi. Our products are also here, there are crafts, culinary, and fashion," said Yunimar.

He explained that all marketing of MSME products here is managed by Tlatah Nusantara, the MSME marketing team formed by the KBB Regional Government (Pemda).

The exhibition innovation at the hotel is a good step to expand the market for MSMEs, which so far are still having difficulties in expanding their network.

"This is very helpful for business actors to exhibit. Bandung City Government also often conducts exhibitions in malls. Now they have wider opportunities to expand to hotels," he said.

Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the KBB Dekranasda, Sonya Fatmala explained, Tlatah Nusantara is a forum formed to develop MSME products, especially in KBB.

"Although this is a forum from KBB, we cannot be successful alone. So we also collaborate with four regions, one of which is the Dekranasda of Bandung City," said Sonya.

He hoped that this step could be one of the efforts to develop the economy in KBB.

Responding to this, the Head of the West Java Province Dekranasda, Atalia Praratya admitted that he needed an injection of young enthusiasm like this to create new ideas. So that it can be a bridge to open up the creative space for MSMEs.

"We experienced extraordinary disruptions. MSME actors were confused about how to get themselves back on track. Hopefully, there will be more creative spaces such as creative markets and hotels to strengthen MSMEs," said Atalia.

One of the MSME products in Bandung that is involved is Hasan Batik. The craftsman staff of Hasan Batik Bandung, Syifa explained, the product is a colet batik.

"The process is stamped using wax first. After that, it is dyed young so that the fabric is colored. Plus, it is stamped with wax for the second layer. Only then is it smeared or painted," said Syifa.

"Then, the finished batik is covered with wax so that the color is protected. After that, it is dyed again so that the color of the cloth is darker. Then, the wax is cleaned so that what appears is the original color of the dab," he added.

He admitted, during the pandemic, batik orders were decreasing.

"Some ordered clothes, pillowcases, tablecloths, and wall decorations. If they made pillowcases, it could take a day," he said.

In line with Syifa, Owner Bonami, Thesa tells how to stay awake after the pandemic.

The products he makes are handmade crafts in the form of accessories and home decor with materials from wire, natural stone, rope and leather as well.

"Now I'm making balloon wall decorations, but it's just not done using tapestry," explained Thesa.

In making handmade products, he admitted that it really depends on the mood. One pcs home decore can be 2-3 days.

"If it's small, it can be a lot in a day," he said.

So far, he has been selling on Instagram or participating in exhibitions in malls through the Bandung City Dekranasda.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, he earned a minimum of IDR 1 million in a month. And even then without promotion because he did everything himself.

"MSMEs are difficult in marketing, let alone a place to sell them. Mall to mall is very expensive. That's why my friends and I rented a booth for 10 people," he said.

He felt very helped by this Dekranasda collaboration. Because, he became more focused on managing production.

"If there is a media like this, it will be more fun, the market will be clearer. I am very grateful if there is a place to accommodate it," he said.

"Here we only put the goods, the Tlatah team is the marketing, so we focus on the production," he added. (din)**

Head of the Bandung City Communication and Information Technology

Yayan A. Brilyana