Jakarta, 23 April 2025 - In the spirit of celebrating Kartini Day, PT Bank Central Asia Tbk (BCA) strengthens its commitment to continuously encourage Indonesian women to be courageous and economically empowered. Through a Virtual Talk Show Session titled “Brave & Creative,” BCA invited two inspiring women, Lanny Siswandi founder of Sambal Bu Rudy and Eunike Selosmith co-founder/CEO of dr soap. They shared their stories of perseverance in building their businesses and strategies for developing MSMEs to penetrate the market, grow sustainably, and make a tangible contribution to the nation's economy.
The event was opened by BCA Director Vera Eve Lim, who expressed her appreciation to Indonesian women for their contributions to nation-building. She emphasized, "MSMEs are the main pillar of Indonesia's economy. By the end of 2024, there were 65.5 million MSMEs, 64% of which are managed by women. This highlights the significant role women play in driving the economy. Recognizing this potential, BCA continues to support MSME entrepreneurs through various initiatives, including access to funding, training, and market expansion. This is part of our commitment to fostering inclusive and sustainable economic growth."
In this session, Lanny and Eunike shared their journeys with great enthusiasm to inspire others. Lanny, the figure behind the success of Sambal Bu Rudy, did not achieve her success instantly. Before finding her flagship product, Lanny explored various businesses in an effort to provide for her family. From this process, Lanny learned that passion for what you do is the key foundation.
For her, business is not only about profit, but also a platform for growing together. She embodies this spirit of collaboration by providing space for other MSMEs to sell their products in her store. According to Lanny, when someone works with joy and without burdens, the business will grow sustainably. Lanny also emphasized the importance of providing the best service to customers within one’s capabilities and continually learning from more experienced entrepreneurs.
Meanwhile, Eunike, a mother and former communication professional, shared her story of pivoting into the world of entrepreneurship. With no business background, Eunike realized that self-confidence was key to getting started. She believes that there’s no need to wait for perfection to take the first step. Effort will not betray results, and continually learning from those who have succeeded before is an essential foundation for building a business.
In the form of appreciation for the enthusiasm and contribution of Indonesian women, especially in the business world, BCA has launched Kartini’s multi-purpose loan (KMU) program. This program provides convenience for Kartini who wish to start or expand their businesses with a low interest rate of 3.21% effective per year. With a fixed interest rate for up to 5 years and long-term tenor options of up to 20 years, this program offers certain installment and facilitates long-term financial planning. For customers who are interested in applying for the Kartini KMU can access it through the link bca.id/kmukartini25.
In addition, BCA remains committed to supporting MSMEs through various initiatives, one of which is the BCA Bangga Lokal Program. This program aims to support local products and MSMEs by improving market access, introducing local flagship products to broader markets, and strengthening distribution networks. BCA’s support for MSMEs is also realized through the Bakti BCA program, which focuses on the Desa Bakti BCA pillar. Several initiatives have been implemented, such as Halal Certification Training for MSMEs and BCA Go Export which has successfully enabled a number of MSMEs to penetrate international markets. In total, the export value generated by MSMEs fostered by BCA reached Rp37 billion by the end of 2024.
“BCA is committed to continuously supporting entrepreneurs, including women, by sharing inspiration and knowledge. We hope to see more modern-day Kartinis who are brave enough to take steps, innovate, and bring positive change to Indonesia’s economy,” concluded Vera.
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About PT Bank Central Asia Tbk (as of March 31 2025)
BCA is one of Indonesia's leading banks that focuses on transaction banking and provides credit facilities and financial solutions for corporate, commercial, SME, and consumer segments. At the end of March 2025, BCA served more than 41 million customer accounts and processed more than 110 million transactions every day, supported by 1,264 branch offices, 19,681 ATMs, as well as internet & mobile banking services and Halo BCA contact center that can be accessed 24 hours. BCA's presence is supported by a number of subsidiaries that focus on vehicle financing, sharia banking, securities, general and life insurance, digital banking, remittances, and venture capital. BCA is committed to building long-term relationships with customers, prioritizing mutual interests, and creating a positive impact on society at large. With more than 27,000 employees, BCA's vision is to be the bank of choice for the people and an important pillar of the Indonesian economy.
PT BANK CENTRAL ASIA TBK
Group Corporate Communication and Social Responsibility - CCR
Corporate Communication
Address : Jl. MH Thamrin No. 1
Menara BCA Lt. 22
Jakarta Pusat 10310
Telephone : (021) 2358-8000
Fax : (021) 2358-8339
E-mail : corcom_bca@bca.co.id
