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CENTRAL SULAWESI — PT Bank Tabungan Negara (Persero) Tbk (BTN) Palu Branch and the Central Sulawesi Provincial Leadership Council of the Indonesian Employers Association (DPP APINDO Central Sulawesi) are strengthening strategic cooperation to support business development, expand business connectivity, and build a more integrated business ecosystem in Central Sulawesi.

The collaboration was discussed during a Business Coffee Meeting between BTN Palu Branch and DPP APINDO Central Sulawesi on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at Milenium Waterpark on Jalan Emmy Saelan, Palu.

Representing BTN were Palu Branch Manager Herry Gerald Talupun; Deputy Business Head Theresia Rigatri Lawoliyo; Strategic & Analytic Officer Harry Kevinta; Business Partnership Officer Hapsari Anggita; and SME and Credit Program Manager Kevin Manik.

DPP APINDO Central Sulawesi was represented by Chairman Wijaya Chandra; Secretary Ito Lawputra; Deputy Chairman IV Musafir Muhaemin; Rudy Saputra of the Indonesian Construction Services and Real Estate Division; APINDO Expert Staff member Sulaeman, who also serves as President Director of Perumda Kota Palu; and APINDO member Leopold.

The meeting discussed a number of strategic opportunities, including the development of business matching initiatives, business financing, trade finance, MSME empowerment, the development of modern retail outlets in partnership with Indogrosir, and the optimization of business transactions through BTN banking services such as EDC, QRIS, and Bale Ekobis.

One of the key focuses was the development of Business Matching as a platform to connect APINDO member businesses with prospective buyers, suppliers, distributors, business partners, and investors based on their respective business needs and potential.

Business Matching is also intended to facilitate interregional trade connectivity, enabling products, commodities, and services from Central Sulawesi to gain access to broader markets. Conversely, the raw materials, goods, and services required by businesses in Central Sulawesi can be matched with potential suppliers from other regions.

Through this approach, the BTN–APINDO synergy is expected to move beyond networking toward concrete business transactions that generate tangible benefits for businesses.

BTN will serve as a financial enabler, providing financing and transaction solutions to support business opportunities generated through Business Matching.

In addition to business loans and transaction facilities, BTN also offers trade finance solutions, including Letters of Credit (LCs) for international trade transactions and Domestic Documentary Letters of Credit (SKBDN) to support domestic trade transactions, subject to applicable requirements and regulations.

BTN Palu Branch Manager Herry Gerald Talupun said the collaboration with APINDO has significant potential because it can connect business networks with a range of banking financing and transaction solutions.

“We want the BTN and APINDO collaboration to move from networking toward actual transactions. When businesses need markets, buyers, suppliers, financing, or transaction solutions, we can build the ecosystem together. BTN is ready to provide support through financing, transaction services, and trade finance,” Herry said.

The meeting also explored opportunities to develop modern retail outlets in partnership with Indogrosir, empower MSME partners, expand access to business credit, and optimize corporate and merchant transactions through various BTN services.

Going forward, the collaboration will be pursued through joint gatherings and Business Matching events, mapping companies’ financing needs, and identifying trade and investment opportunities that can be developed jointly with APINDO members.

The partnership could also be expanded through thematic talk shows with business leaders and marketing challenges for university students, creating broader connectivity among businesses, the banking sector, MSMEs, and younger generations.

As a follow-up to the Business Coffee Meeting, BTN Palu Branch and DPP APINDO Central Sulawesi will schedule the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) as an entry point for establishing a more structured, comprehensive, and sustainable collaboration.

The MoU is expected to provide a foundation for developing a range of concrete joint programs, including Business Matching, market expansion and interregional trade, business financing, trade finance, transaction strengthening, and MSME empowerment.

Through this synergy, APINDO can serve as an aggregator of business potential and needs, while BTN acts as a financial enabler supporting financing and transaction requirements.

The collaboration is expected not only to benefit both institutions but also to create mutually beneficial value for APINDO members, businesses, and MSMEs, while contributing to the strengthening of Central Sulawesi’s business ecosystem and economic growth.

Source: Sulteng Raya