Business Network International Helps Indonesian SMEs to Worldwide

VIVA – Business Network International (BNI), the world's largest referral-based global business community organization, had just appointed National Directors (ND) for Indonesia. This National Directors appointment was announced by George Barlow from BNI United States (US) at the first BNI Business Conference in Indonesia, at the Pullman Hotel, Bandung, West Java, October 28, 2022.

The appointed are Chairman/National Director of BNI Indonesia, Setio Prioyono, Deputy Chairman I/National Director of BNI Indonesia Eddy Sugiri, and Deputy Chairman II/National Director of BNI Indonesia Grace Hakim.

The newly established National Directors are preparing to develop BNI in cities across Indonesia to aid Indonesian SME entrepreneurs into global players and becomes worldwide.

The conference themed "Better Together: The Networking Economy for Business Growth and Regional Impact" was attended by hundreds of participants from four established chapters, namely the Pioneer Chapter (Jakarta), Amplify Chapter (Jakarta), Grow Chapter (Jakarta) and Rise Chapter (Bandung).

Head of the Industry and Trade Office of West Java Province, Dr Iendra Sofyan, ST, MSi, and Head of the Small Business Division of West Java Province Office of Cooperatives and Small Business, Dr Tatang Suryana, MSi, also attended this event.

National Director of the Business Network International (BNI) Indonesia, Setio Priyono, stated this referral-based global business community organization aims to promote Indonesia's economic growth by increasing the competitiveness of Indonesian SMEs worldwide.

With a network of more than 10,000 chapters in more than 74 countries that actively provide business referrals, SMEs who are members of BNI can easily access and expand the global market, which is in line with the BNI tagline – Local Business, Global Network.

"We intend to help Indonesian SMEs develop through the BNI system. With the appointment of this national director, we will soon form new chapters in all cities in Indonesia. Today coincides with Youth Pledge Day of Indonesia on October 28, and BNI Indonesia officially comes with the vision to build the Indonesian economy through increasing the competitiveness of our SMEs," Setio Priyono remarked.

With the referral system, the business at Business Network International continues to grow even in crisis conditions. Including when facing the Covid-19 pandemic in the last three years and the prediction of a recession in 2023. BNI member businesses will continue to grow despite the recession.

"BNI's referral system for 37 years has proven effective in developing business, even in a crisis. That's why I, together with Eddy Sugiri and Grace Hakim, have a vision for every city in Indonesia to have BNI. Moreover, many people predict difficult conditions next year. However, I believe BNI member transactions continue to grow despite the recession," Setio Priyono explained.

The key to business growth for BNI members lies in the referral power developed at BNI. BNI has built this system since 1985. Unlike other business organizations, the BNI system teaches each member to be able to carry out their obligations to provide referrals to other members, and there is a system that will evaluate members' commitment and participation every month.

Deputy Chairman of BNI Indonesia 1/National Director Eddy Sugiri, believes that Indonesia's economic resilience will continue to grow in difficult conditions, as happened during the previous Covid pandemic, with the cooperation and synergy of all stakeholders, the government, the business community, citizens and, of course, the support of organizations such as BNI Indonesia.

"We ask for the blessing and full support of stakeholders in Indonesia's economic development so that BNI Indonesia can contribute more to developing Indonesia's economy," Eddy Sugiri said.

According to Eddy Sugiri, the presence of the International Business Network (BNI), especially in West Java, is an effort to build young West Java entrepreneurs to become successful through network development and referrals.

According to him, West Java has a lot of potential for young entrepreneurs who are passionate, creative, and very innovative, contributing to regional and national development.

"At BNI, we have access to national and international networks, which have proven to be very helpful in business development. This system has proven to be very effective in helping young entrepreneurs," said Eddy Sugiri, who has been actively involved in fostering and encouraging young entrepreneur in West Java.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chair II/ National Director of BNI Indonesia, Grace explained BNI has 10,805 chapters worldwide with 292,920 members. In 2021 alone, BNI members distributed more than 12.4 million in business referrals to members, with a value of hundreds of trillions of Rupiah. BNI members are actively supported by regional, national, and global BNI staff who provide the training, system, structure, and technology needed for the continued success of BNI members.

"With thousands of BNI Chapters worldwide, BNI provides an unparalleled global business network. BNI's mission is to help BNI members improve their business through structured, positive, and professional referral marketing programs that enable them to develop meaningful long-term relationships with quality business professionals," Grace said.