Astra foundation to increase SME assistance<\/p>\n
JAKARTA: Astra International's Dharma Bhakti Astra Foundation
\n(YDBA) will provide Rp 20 billion (US$2.3 million) in technical
\nassistance to small and medium enterprises next year.<\/p>\n
The foundation's executive board chairman, Krisni Murti, said
\non Monday that the amount was higher than this year's figure of
\n"between Rp 10 billion and Rp 15 billion".<\/p>\n
The assistance will be distributed to SMEs in the handicraft
\nand automotive and motorcycle sectors, but with a 60:40 ratio in
\nfavor of SMEs producing handicrafts as opposed to those producing
\nor supplying car and motorcycle components.<\/p>\n
The foundation has helped SMEs for years, with the number of
\nSME partners now reaching 911.<\/p>\n
Out of the total 911 SME partners, 621 businesses are related
\nto the Astra Group's business, including 93 SMEs that produce or
\nsell components for Astra or distribute Astra's products. Besides
\nthe automotive business, Astra is also involved in plantations,
\ninformation technology and infrastructure.<\/p>\n
Krisni explained that the foundation's handicraft SME partners
\nsold most of their products for export.<\/p>\n
She said the foundation was committed to increasing the export
\nperformance of SMEs producing handicrafts, as well as boosting
\nthe output of SMEs that produce motorcycle and automobile
\ncomponents.<\/p>\n
YDBA will obtain the funds from a few sources, including the
\nWorld Bank's International Finance Corporation.<\/p>\n
Astra is the sole distributor of Toyota vehicles as well as
\nHonda Motorcycles through its subsidiary Honda Astra Motor.--JP<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/astra-foundation-to-increase-sme-assistance-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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