Wamena– The Papua Highlands Provincial Government continues to strengthen community-based economic development through the 2026 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME/UMKM) Festival. The event serves as a platform to expand market access for products made by Indigenous Papuans (OAP), while increasing the value and competitiveness of locally produced goods from the highland region.
Held on July 9–10, 2026, in Jayawijaya Regency, the festival brought together 52 MSME entrepreneurs showcasing a wide range of locally made products, including traditional handicrafts, nokenbags, highland coffee, local culinary specialties, and other products derived from the region’s rich natural and cultural resources. The festival also provided participants with opportunities to introduce their products to the public, potential investors, and business partners.
Head of the Investment and One-Stop Integrated Services Agency (DPMPTSP) of Papua Highlands Province, Suryani Yigibalom said the festival reflects the provincial government’s commitment to creating broader market opportunities for Indigenous Papuan entrepreneurs and supporting sustainable economic growth in the region.
“We are providing opportunities for Indigenous Papuan MSMEs to participate in the 2026 UMKM Festival in Jayawijaya. We hope this initiative will contribute to improving their livelihoods and strengthening the local economy. The festival also serves as a platform for collaboration and innovation, enabling MSMEs to expand their market reach while attracting investment to Papua Highlands in support of a more prosperous society,” Suryani said.
She added that strengthening the MSME sector is not only about promoting local products but also about building partnerships among the government, businesses, investors, and local communities. Such collaboration is expected to encourage the development of competitive value-added products capable of reaching wider regional and national markets.
The Papua Highlands Provincial Government also aims to make the UMKM Festival an annual event involving entrepreneurs from all eight regencies across the province. The initiative is expected to stimulate regional economic growth, attract investment, create employment opportunities, and improve the welfare of communities through the development of locally based MSMEs.
