Government accelerates recovery of disaster-affected MSMEs through MBG

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs continues to strive to accelerate the economic recovery of disaster-affected SMEs in Sumatra, one of which is by strengthening their involvement in the Free Nutritious Meals Programme (MBG). Deputy for Micro Enterprises of the Ministry of SMEs, Riza Damanik, in a press statement in Jakarta on Friday, conveyed that the increase in the number of kitchens in the MBG Programme will drive demand from SME suppliers. For this reason, the Ministry of SMEs held a Workshop on Developing Production Capacity for Affirmative Micro Enterprises Affected by Disasters and Enhancing Micro Enterprise Capacity to Support Free Nutritious Meals in West Sumatra. She explained that these efforts are part of the government’s commitment to restoring the community’s economy while improving the competitiveness of SME actors in disaster-affected areas. “Through this workshop, it is hoped that outstanding SME entrepreneurs will emerge as strong and competitive suppliers, ready to meet the needs of kitchens and establish cooperation with the Nutrition Fulfilment Service Unit (SPPG) throughout Indonesia, especially in West Sumatra,” said Riza. The workshop was attended by 200 food sector SME actors and operational support actors for kitchens. Subsequently, the participants will undergo a curation process to join further training and mentoring, up to the partner meeting or business matching stage with the Nutrition Fulfilment Service Unit (SPPG) in the West Sumatra region. For this, she assessed that close and sustainable collaboration is needed between the Ministry of SMEs, the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), and local governments in preparing quality SMEs, from increasing production capacity, fulfilling food safety standards, to strengthening business governance. According to her, cross-sector synergy is key in building an inclusive and sustainable MBG ecosystem, so that SMEs not only play a supporting role, but as strategic partners capable of providing safe, nutritious, and quality food products for the community. “Through the synergy between affirmative support and the expansion of SME entrepreneur involvement in the MBG Programme, it is hoped that disaster-affected SME entrepreneurs will not only be able to rise, but also grow sustainably and become increasingly competitive,” said Riza.