Government expands decent housing and empowers local MSMEs
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The government is expanding its home renovation programme, the distribution of subsidised housing and support for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) by promoting the use of locally made building materials.
After meeting President Prabowo Subianto at the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta on Monday, Housing and Settlements Minister Maruarar Sirait outlined a significant increase in the home renovation programme.
The expansion is part of the government’s effort to improve public access to decent housing and raise the quality of homes in which people live.
“This is a programme established by the state under President Prabowo. Last year, we renovated 45,000 homes. This year, the figure has been increased dramatically to 400,000,” Maruarar said.
Alongside home improvements, Maruarar said the government was widening access to home ownership through subsidised housing under the Housing Financing Liquidity Facility (FLPP) scheme.
The government is encouraging implementation of the programme so that more people can buy homes through affordable financing.
Maruarar also reported on a programme to develop the clay roof-tile industry among MSMEs in Majalengka regency, West Java.
He said the initiative is helping local businesses increase production capacity and meet quality standards through assistance and certification under the Indonesian National Standard (SNI).
“Thirty-four MSMEs have passed SNI certification, which demonstrates reliability. They have obtained robust certification and passed testing. These 34 businesses are preparing 2.4 million clay roof tiles, ensuring that the products’ quality is maintained,” Maruarar said.
He explained that the government was also promoting the use of local products in line with the potential of each region.
Maruarar said strengthening local MSMEs was an important part of the national housing programme, as it connects housing construction needs with economic growth in regional communities.
“We want to empower local MSMEs. If possible, products from West Java should be used in West Java, and products from Central Java in Central Java. After roof tiles, we will also move on to other places,” he said.
Maruarar also said President Prabowo had given attention to developing the ASRI programme, which promotes Indonesian environments that are comfortable, beautiful and healthy, while empowering MSMEs.
The programme is being prepared to help improve the quality of residential environments and encourage the participation of local businesses.