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Jakarta, March 8, 2023 - For over a decade, March 8 has been celebrated as International Women's Day (IWD). This year, IWD embraces the theme #EmbraceEquity, aiming to challenge gender stereotypes, discrimination, and promote inclusivity collectively. Lembaga Pembiayaan Ekspor Indonesia (LPEI) or Indonesia Eximbank actively contributes to achieving gender equality in the Indonesian economy through community-based empowerment programs, specifically the Devisa Village program.
According to the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), the proportion of women in managerial positions reached 32.26 percent in 2022. On the entrepreneurship front, 64.5 percent of MSMEs in Indonesia were managed by women in 2021. "The acceleration of women's empowerment in various sectors, especially in business management, is becoming more widespread. It is often these women entrepreneurs who successfully drive Indonesian products to international markets. To ensure sustained growth in women's contributions to the business sector, there is a need for a balance in empowerment and adequate facilities," said Gerald Grisanto, Head of Consultancy Services Division at LPEI.
LPEI has fostered 195 Devisa Villages spread across 9 provinces, including Devisa Gula Semut Village and Devisa Fashion Village in East Java, which have demonstrated the strength of women in supporting the economy and bringing Indonesia's name to the global stage.
In Devisa Gula Semut Cluster, 944 out of 1,888 empowered residents are women, indicating equal contributions from both genders. These women, who are primarily farmers' wives or palm sugar harvesters, receive various training and mentoring from LPEI, including improving production quality, financial reporting, expanding market access, and facilitating exhibitions.
The empowerment of residents in Bumisari Village, Purbalingga Regency, has paid off with the production of high-quality products that have attracted the global market's attention. As of September 2022, the sales value of Devisa Gula Semut Cluster reached Rp14.8 billion. Moreover, their products and cultivation practices have obtained certifications such as United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Organic, ID-BIO-149 Non-EU Agriculture, and Japanese Agricultural Standards (JAS).
On the other hand, LPEI has supported 2,845 batik and woven craft artisans in developing their skills and export businesses in Devisa Fashion Cluster in East Java. Over 85 percent of these artisans are women. The result speaks for itself, with the Devisa Village achieving export sales of up to Rp 845 million.
"In line with the spirit of International Women's Day, LPEI continues to embrace women in various Devisa Villages to ensure their equal contribution to the community. Devisa Gula Semut Cluster and Devisa Fashion Cluster in East Java are clear examples of inclusive participation that has yielded remarkable results," explained Gerald.
As a Special Mission Vehicle (SMV) of the Ministry of Finance, LPEI plays a crucial role in promoting national export growth through the provision of financing, guarantees, insurance, and export consultancy services.
Media Contact
Chesna F. Anwar Corporate Secretary – Lembaga Pembiayaan Ekspor Indonesia
Ph. : (021) 39503600
Email : corpsec@indonesiaeximbank.go.id
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