One week after Jakarta, the same enthusiasm ignited in the western tip of Indonesia. Belawan Pier, Medan, on April 6, 2026, became the stage for ten selected MSMEs from North Sumatra and the surrounding area — introducing the richness of local products to the public and international delegates visiting as part of the ASEAN Plus Cadet Sail (APCS) 2026.
Belawan Pier was chosen for a reason. As the main maritime gateway for North Sumatra, this port is passed by thousands of people from various regions and countries every day. PT. Kirab Inti Korpora, as the organizer, recognized this potential and transformed it into a strategic promotional space — a place where local MSME products could directly meet a much wider audience than the usual market.
Modern pop-up booths were set up on the dock: six 3×3 meter Sarnafil tents with the *fascia name pavilion* branding, full-body mannequins, a clothing rail, and a 3×6 meter photo booth. Complete technical support—lighting, a 60 KVA generator, an EDC machine, photographers, videographers, and drones—ensure every product is presented at its best and well-documented.
Decades-Old Local Shoes, Still Going Strong
The footwear category features two time-tested brands. Kotama Shoes was founded in 1989—over three decades producing formal leather shoes, work shoes, and fabric shoes for everyday needs. What makes them special: their custom shoe service caters to individuals and institutions such as schools and organizations. While imported brands come and go, Kotama remains resilient thanks to the trust of its loyal customers.
From Pematang Siantar, **Legendary by Naga Shoes** lives up to its reputation. These formal and casual shoes, crafted by experienced local craftsmen, are known for their precise stitching, sturdy construction, and long-lasting comfort — proof that quality doesn’t have to depend on foreign brands.
Sumatran Woven Fabrics: A Priceless Hand-Held Heritage
Three wastra brands showcased their stunning fabrics, hand-woven by local artisans. Raki Tenun brought premium North Sumatran wastra, produced using ATBM (Non-Machine Looms) — woven fabrics, ready-to-wear clothing, and ethnic accessories with light, smooth materials and distinctive regional colors.
Simanjuntak Weaving Gallery presented ulos and wastra, a traditional North Sumatran textile, hand-woven by local artisans. Their collections — from ulos cloth and ready-to-wear clothing, bags, and ethnic accessories — prove that traditional values can coexist with modern design touches.
Completing the trio of textiles, Rohani Tenun Batik combines weaving and batik techniques in one production house. Every fabric, scarf, bag, and wallet they produce embodies rich cultural motifs — a blend of traditional techniques and a contemporary design approach that makes them relevant in today’s market.
Designers Who Give Life to Local Textiles
Zul Said doesn’t just sell fabric — he transforms North Sumatran textiles into clothing that can be worn with pride. His handmade shirts, jackets, outerwear, vests, coats, and suits showcase quality materials and meticulous craftsmanship. Each stitch is a statement that local culture deserves to be present at formal events, business meetings, and the international stage.
Medan Cuisine: From Premium Cakes to Rambutan-Turned-Drinks
North Sumatra is renowned for its distinctive culinary flavors, and these four brands bring that fragrance to Belawan Pier.
Kisah Cookies presents premium handmade cookies — Almond Chocolate Cookies, Toast Crunch, and Brownies Cookies — with halal certification and exclusive packaging. Perfect for everyday consumption, hampers, or formal event souvenirs, this product proves that even the home-baked industry can compete with premium brands.
From another angle, the aroma of coffee beckons visitors to the Otodit Kopi booth. Established in 2017, this Medan coffee shop serves a selection of Gayo blend coffee beans (Arabica & Robusta) in espresso, manual brew, and non-coffee beverages—consistent quality that has built a loyal customer base for almost a decade.
Uniquely, Royyan presents an innovation based on a fruit rarely processed: rambutan. This North Sumatran rambutan syrup, with its balanced sweetness and fresh aroma, is made from an authentic recipe with natural ingredients and modern packaging. This product successfully elevates the potential of local fruit to become a high-value souvenir.
Closing the culinary list, Kriken offers premium potato chips in three flavors: original, balado, and Medan’s signature anchovies. The crunchy texture and instantly enticing flavor make it a popular everyday snack and a sought-after souvenir for anyone visiting Medan.
Sumatra in the Eyes of the World
The exhibition at Belawan Pier reflects the riches that have long been hidden in North Sumatra — from weaving skills passed down through generations, the skill of knitting leather into quality shoes, to the creativity of processing local materials into export-worthy products.
APCS 2026 provides the perfect stage. And Sumatra’s MSMEs are proving that they are more than ready to stand on it — reaching markets that have previously only been dreamed of.
