The South Sulawesi Representative Office of Bank Indonesia (BI) has chosen Bengok Kraft, a business located in Semarang Regency, Central Java, as a model for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in South Sulawesi, with a focus on creating export-oriented products. Bengok Kraft in Semarang Regency utilizes water hyacinth plants to create economically valuable handicrafts, serves as an exemplary case for UMKMs in South Sulawesi. Bengok Craft is an enterprise operating in the fashion industry, specializing in crafting various handmade products from water hyacinth. The activity of visiting UMKM entrepreneurs in Semarang who have successfully entered international markets is intended to serve as a reference for the public, including other MSMEs. With the hope that information recipients or UMKM entrepreneurs can optimally apply all the knowledge and experiences gained during this training and the visit to Bengok Kraft in Kesongo Village, Tuntang District, Semarang Regency, Central Java.
Meanwhile, the founder of Bengok Kraft, revealed that their products have already reached international markets, including Hong Kong, Singapore, and various European countries, with hundreds of items currently in their product line. Previously, water hyacinth in the area was merely considered a troublesome plant. However, after being transformed into handcrafted products, it has now become an economic asset for the local community. Processed water hyacinth, ready to be woven, is valued at IDR 5,000 per kilogram, providing an additional source of income for the local community. On a separate note, the Head of the South Sulawesi BI Representative Office, highlighted that there are currently over 100 MSMEs under the supervision of BI in South Sulawesi that have successfully penetrated global markets.
