Solo (ANTARA) – Queen Maxima of the Netherlands discussed financial access with a batik maker in Solo, Central Java, on Tuesday during her visit to Indonesia as the UN Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Financial Health.Maxima asked Eny Zaqiyah about her financial situation and her three-year experience using services from Amartha, a local fintech firm. They also discussed business growth and seasonal sales trends.Zaqiyah said her business has continued to grow since joining Amartha, supported by regular invitations to exhibitions in various regions. She noted that her products now reach international customers.”My business has flourished. We often join exhibitions and receive marketing training,” she said.Amartha’s VP of Public Relations, Harumi Supit, said the company, established in 2010, provides financial services to housewives as part of its women’s empowerment initiatives.”We started with business empowerment programs and microloans from Rp5 million (around US$300),” she said, adding that Amartha supports many small and medium enterprises in Laweyan Batik Village.During the visit, Queen Maxima also tried her hand at making batik.”Thank you for teaching me how to become a batik maker, but I don’t think I’ll ever become one,” she joked to Zaqiyah.
Queen Maxima meets Solo batik maker to discuss financial inclusion
