Astra helps small business with Rp 912b

JAKARTA (JP): PT Astra International will allocate Rp 912.99 billion (US$375.56 million) this year to help small businesses and cooperatives in the country, the company's executive said.

The head of Astra's Dharma Bhakti Foundation, Krisni Murti, said Saturday Astra would give the money to 34,452 small businesses and 92 cooperatives as support for the nationwide business partnership program.

She said the funds, mostly in the form of cheap loans, would be given to businesses in the metal, plastic, rubber, auto repair and clothing industries.

They are located in Greater Jakarta and throughout Java, Riau, Jambi, East Kalimantan, South Sulawesi, West Nusa Tenggara and Bali, she said.

Krisni said the company distributed last year Rp 784.03 billion to 29,845 smaller business and 82 cooperatives.

"The partnership will also be in the form technical assistance," Krisni said, Antara reported.

Astra is a member of the Jimbaran Group, which groups 48 tycoons who work out tangible programs to help small business and help eradicate poverty.

Krisni said her company would also forge a partnership in June with the Medan Public Transportation Cooperatives in North Sumatra to support its activities.

She said the company, through Astra Mitra Ventura, would provide credit facility of Rp 100 million with an interest rate of 6 percent a year.

Astra would also conduct a training program for the drivers and the car mechanics of the cooperative, she said.

"The Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the Jimbaran Group and North Sumatran as well as 612 local small entrepreneurs and cooperatives on Friday," she said. (das)