KAI Accompanies Assisted UMKs from Capacity Building to Market Access at the INACRAFT Festival Yogyakarta 2026
PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) is expanding market access for its assisted micro and small enterprises (MSEs) through participation in the Road to INACRAFT Festival 2026 Yogyakarta edition, held at the Jogja Expo Center (JEC) from 15–19 July 2026.
KAI provided a dedicated booth to showcase batik, ecoprint, fashion, bags, and accessories produced by its assisted MSEs to visitors, prospective buyers, retailers, distributors, creative communities, and business partners. This participation forms part of KAI’s development program to enable business actors to gain direct experience in introducing their products and building relationships with the market.
Vice President of Corporate Communication KAI, Anne Purba, stated that exhibition facilitation is designed to complement the development that MSEs have received in product development and business management.
“Development efforts need to continue into spaces where MSE actors can meet consumers and prospective business partners. At this exhibition, MSE actors can introduce the quality of their products, receive feedback, understand market needs, and build networks that support business sustainability,” said Anne.
The KAI booth features products that highlight local craftsmanship through batik techniques, ecoprint, textile processing, and fashion design. The arrangement of products within a single exhibition space provides visitors with the opportunity to understand the character, production processes, and cultural narratives behind each creation.
According to Anne, the benefits of expanded market access can extend to the surrounding environment where MSEs operate. Each product is connected to artisans, tailors, fabric and dye suppliers, packaging producers, product photographers, and logistics service providers.
When opportunities for orders and partnerships arise, business actors have greater capacity to sustain production continuity, maintain local workforce engagement, and enhance economic activity in the surrounding areas.
“What KAI is strengthening is the business ecosystem. When MSE actors gain broader market access, the benefits can return to families, workers, suppliers, and communities around their business locations. Therefore, market access is an essential component of community economic empowerment,” Anne added.
Participation in the INACRAFT Festival Yogyakarta continues the series of MSE development programs implemented by KAI throughout 2026. On 23–25 June 2026, KAI collaborated with the Center for Human Resource Development for Exports and Trade Services (PPEJP), BPSDMP of the Ministry of Trade, to provide export initiation training to 20 assisted MSEs.
Through this training, participants received knowledge on improving product quality, pricing calculations, label and packaging adjustments, product adaptation to target market needs, and promotion to prospective international buyers.
In the first quarter of 2026, KAI also facilitated the participation of eight MSEs in The 26th Jakarta International Handicraft Trade Fair or INACRAFT 2026. This participation provided promotional opportunities, experience in engaging with visitors, and opportunities to build new business networks.
This series of programs connects business capacity building with market access. MSE actors gain knowledge to organize their products, and are then provided with opportunities to test consumer responses and introduce their products to potential partners.
MSE development is part of the economic development pillar within KAI’s Social and Environmental Responsibility (TJSL) program. This program includes KAI Certified to support certification, KAI Next Class for business development, KAI Creative Space to provide promotional spaces, KAI Exhibition for exhibition facilitation, and the MSE Financing Program.
“The needs of each business vary. Some need to strengthen product standards, improve packaging, organize administration, expand promotion, or meet prospective buyers. KAI structures its development programs in complementary stages so that MSE actors are increasingly prepared to seize opportunities,” said Anne.
The Road to INACRAFT Festival 2026 Yogyakarta edition carries the theme “Hamemayu Hayuning Bawana: Cultural Crafts for World Harmony.” This theme relates to the role of crafts in preserving cultural values while also providing economic opportunities for communities.
Batik and ecoprint carry design values, technical knowledge, and traditions passed down through generations. When these products gain promotional space, the skills of artisans also receive recognition and broader market opportunities.
The results of interactions during the exhibition will serve as evaluation material for MSEs in product development, marketing strategies, and relationship management with prospective partners. KAI also encourages business actors to maintain quality consistency and production readiness when opportunities for orders arise.
“KAI aims to open more opportunities for local products to meet the right markets. From capacity building, promotion, exhibitions, to business network development, the entire process is directed at strengthening the independence of MSE actors and expanding economic benefits for society,” Anne concluded.
VP Corporate Communication KAI