The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, in collaboration with the Tourism and Creative Economy Agency, inaugurated the Kick Off Fintech Financing For Tourism And Creative Economy (FIFTY) 2024 event in Bogor City on May 7, 2024. FIFTY serves as a platform for accessing financial technology financing, including Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Lending and Securities/Equity Crowdfunding, licensed by the Financial Services Authority (OJK). Its goal is to facilitate easier access to financing for entrepreneurs in the tourism and creative economy sectors. The event, presided over by Minister Sandiaga Uno, highlights Bogor City's potential as a hub for tourism and creative economy products and services, aiming to create 4.4 million jobs. Sandiaga emphasized the close link between the tourism and creative economy sectors and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), with 70% of industry participants being MSMEs. Despite this, access to funding remains a challenge, despite Indonesia's high internet penetration rate of 79.5%.
Sandiaga urged MSMEs in these sectors to explore alternative financing avenues through FIFTY, offering structured training and mentoring to enhance business capacity for growth. Acting Mayor Hery Antasari of Bogor City underscored the sectors' importance, contributing almost one-third of the city's revenue in 2023. He stressed strategic planning to maintain Bogor's appeal to tourists amidst the Indonesian Capital City's relocation. Hery expressed hope that FIFTY would bridge the financing gap, fostering partnerships between entrepreneurs and technology-based financing companies. Bogor City is formulating its Regional Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJPD) 2025-2045, focusing on poverty alleviation, economic equality, infrastructure, environmental sustainability, and governance. The vision for Bogor City as a Creative Science City prioritizes innovation, creativity, and scientific advancement, fostering collaboration between scientific institutions, universities, creative industries, and businesses. These initiatives aim to propel Bogor's sustainable economic, social, and cultural development.
Source: https://jabarekspres.com/berita/2024/05/07/kota-bogor-jadi-target-epicentrum-produk-parekraf/
