Fund for small business

JAKARTA (JP): PT Sarana Jateng Ventura (SJV) is to provide Rp 30 billion (US$12.5 million) to help develop small and middle- scale businesses in Central Java.

SJV's president Ketut Jember said over the weekend that the fund would be used to strengthen the small and medium businesses' capital, and to improve their business management, marketing and technology.

The fund, he said, was derived from the venture capital company's own equity and a bank loan.

"We'll pursue the small business development through partnership with individual firms," Ketut said.

He said that the development of small and medium businesses was usually hindered by a lack of capital, lack of raw materials, poor management, and an inability to compete with other enterprises. (bnt)