(FEB NEWS) Surabaya, November 11, 2025 — The Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDP) in collaboration with the Cooperation and Development Management Agency (BKMP) Universitas Airlangga held a Workshop and Real Action themed "Optimizing Palm Oil and Cocoa Downstreaming in East Java: Product Diversification, MSME Legality, Financing Access, and Export Opportunities." The activity was implemented by the Development Economics Development Laboratory (LPEP) of the Faculty of Economics and Business Universitas Airlangga which is one of the laboratories of the Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Business Universitas Airlangga.
The activity which took place on November 11-13, 2025 in Surabaya was attended by Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) from various regions in East Java. This workshop was also attended by Prof. Dr. Rudy Purwono, SE, M.SE., as the Dean of FEB Universitas Airlangga enthusiastically welcomed this MSME workshop. Dr. Novrys Suhardianto, SE, M.Sc., Ak., as the Vice Dean III of FEB UNAIR opened the event this morning. Akhmad Jayadi, SE, M.Si., as the Project Manager, and Atik Purmiyati SE., M.Si., Ph.D, as the PIC of the activity.
Speakers at this event included not only academics but also representatives from local governments, Himbara banking, and high-achieving MSMEs in the palm oil and cocoa derivative sectors.
Three Main Focuses: Workshops, Training, and Real Action
The event's organizing committee, Akhmad Jayadi, explained that the workshop was not just a seminar, but also presented concrete actions that directly addressed the needs of MSMEs.
"There are three focus areas. First, workshop materials on branding and matchmaking. Second, technical training on palm oil derivative products. Third, concrete actions for new MSMEs to gain access to legality, financing, and export opportunities," Jayadi explained.
Jayadi added that during the three-day event, participants not only received theory on how to run a business but also received hands-on practice, from creating a Business Identification Number (NIB), introducing them to banking access, and preparing to penetrate the export market.
In addition, the committee also prepared a pitching session between MSMEs and banks for business actors who are considered to have the potential to obtain credit financing.
Encourage the Use of Palm Oil Derivative Products
According to Jayadi, many MSMEs do not yet understand the vast potential of palm oil derivative products.
"Many people think palm oil is only used for cooking oil, but its derivatives can be used as raw materials for soap, candles, cosmetics, and even as a chocolate substitute," he explained.
He believes the biggest challenge currently is the limited information and availability of palm oil derivative raw materials on the market, especially for MSMEs in East Java that are not located in major production centers such as Sumatra and Kalimantan.
"We hope that MSMEs in East Java can utilize palm oil derivatives as raw materials or semi-finished products to create innovative local products," he said.
Collaboration is the Key to Strengthening Downstream Processing
Deputy Dean III of the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Airlangga, Novrys Suhardianto, emphasized that the success of downstreaming requires cross-sector collaboration between the government, academics, banking, and business actors.
"With collaboration and a spirit of innovation, we are confident that the palm oil and cocoa sectors in East Java can grow sustainably and contribute to the national economy," he said.
This activity is part of the BPDP and Universitas Airlangga commitment to strengthening the downstream ecosystem through the development of derivative products, increasing access to financing, and opening up export opportunities. Through this synergy, it is hoped that East Java's MSMEs can move up a level and become more competitive in the global market.