Penajam Paser Utara, Kaltim (ANTARA) – The Nusantara Capital City (IKN) Authority continues to boost the capacity of local micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Indonesia’s new capital city in East Kalimantan to ensure their competitiveness.”The development of the IKN must provide tangible benefits to local residents,” Deputy for Social Affairs, Culture, and Community Empowerment at the Nusantara Capital City Authority Alimuddin said in Sepaku, North Penajam Paser, on Thursday.”We are strengthening business actors so they can seize the various economic opportunities that continue to grow and become competitive,” he added.One way is to utilize the Financial Information Recording (SIAPIK) application, which provides local MSMEs with knowledge on simple financial management, businesses, central banking, Islamic economics, payment system digitalization, and consumer protection.The program is aimed at MSME entrepreneurs in the IKN area and North Penajam Paser District to strengthen financial literacy, promote financial inclusion, and expand access to financing from banking institutions.MSMEs are brought together directly with some financial services and banking institutions, Alimuddin explained, to open up opportunities for access to capital tailored to their business characteristics and needs.The training, packaged as a single activity, the SIAPIK AKSI 2026 Academy, was initiated by the IKN Joint Working Secretariat (KOPERBI), in collaboration with the Bank Indonesia Representative Office (KPw BI) in Balikpapan and the Financial Services Authority (OJK) for East Kalimantan and North Kalimantan.Education and synergy are crucial, according to Aura Pandu Wirawan, Head of the IKN KOPERBI Joint Working Secretariat. Collaboration can strengthen MSMEs, make them more advanced, and enable them to capitalize on the growing economic opportunities in the IKN area.Bank Indonesia, the IKN Authority, the OJK, regional governments, and banks continue to encourage the improvement of MSME capabilities through mentoring programs, training, expanding market access, and facilitating business financing.”Good financial record-keeping is also key to MSME growth and gaining broader access to financing,” Wirawan said.MSMEs who received training from the 2026 SIAPIK AKSI Academy acknowledged that the program helped them transition from manual finance record-keeping to a more organized digital system.According to one participant, Reni, a banana chips entrepreneur from North Penajam Paser District, SIAPIK taught her how to manage her business finances better and more modernly using digital applications.