Pekalongan Batik Success Story, From Home Tailor to International Export

Batik has always been one of the favorite souvenirs for tourists visiting Pekalongan. Its diverse motifs and modern designs always succeed in attracting visitors' attention. Batik manufacturers in Pekalongan continue to innovate to meet customer demands while keeping up with current developments.

One of the famous batik producers in Pekalongan is Zialova Batik. Founded by Nur Afidatul Azimah in 2017, this business offers various fashion products, ranging from negligees, gamis, to mukenas. Afida, as she is familiarly known, started her career as a reseller before finally opening her own shop.

Business Journey from Reseller to Manufacturer

Afida started her business as a batik reseller, utilizing an online shop in the marketplace. "I used to be a home tailor and started trying to become a reseller in 2017. I sold batik cloth that I took from shops, photographed it myself, and sent it to the market. Orders started to increase from just 1-2 pieces to finally having to prepare stock at home ," said Afida.

Due to increasing demand, Afida opened her shop at Banjarsari Market, Pekalongan City, in 2018. This was the starting point for an increase in the number of customers and resellers.

Zialova Batik offers various products that meet people's current needs, including mukenas, negligees, robes, koko shirts and sarongs specially designed for the month of Ramadan. Zialova products are not only sold around Pekalongan, but also outside the city and even to Malaysia.

Afida hopes that her business will continue to grow and provide benefits to the local community. "We hope to open branches outside the city and continue to contribute. Many local workers are involved in our production. For tourists who come to Pekalongan, please visit our outlet," he said.

Capital Challenges

Like many other MSME entrepreneurs, Afida faces challenges in terms of capital. People's Business Credit (KUR) loans from BRI really help the development of their business.

"In 2018-2019, uniform orders started to increase and I needed additional capital. I applied for a KUR loan of IDR 10 million and the low interest was very helpful," explained Afida.

As her business grows, Afida continues to apply for KUR loans in increasingly large amounts to meet production and operational needs. This capital assistance really helps the financial turnaround of the business.

BUMN House Support and Business Development

Zialova Batik is one of the MSMEs supported by Rumah BUMN. Afida often takes part in the training provided and participates in various exhibitions held by BRI. This is very helpful in developing his business.

BRI, as the largest bank providing KUR, continues to offer capital support to MSMEs and assists them in product development and digitalization.

"The story of Zialova Batik shows how the financing and business assistance we provide can boost the business capacity of MSMEs," said BRI Micro Business Director, Supari.

From January to April 2024, BRI has distributed KUR worth IDR 59.96 trillion to 1.2 million debtors, reaching 36% of the government's KUR distribution target to BRI of IDR 165 trillion in 2024.

Pekalongan Batik, with its various innovative motifs and designs, continues to attract tourists. Zialova Batik's success as a local batik producer that is able to attract attention from abroad shows the great potential of the batik industry in Indonesia.

Support from the government and financial institutions such as BRI is very important to help MSMEs like Zialova Batik develop and make positive contributions to the economy and surrounding communities.