MP Urges Expanded Financing for MSMEs to Support the People’s Economy
Jakarta (ANTARA) – House of Representatives Commission VII member Hendry Munief has called for expanded access to financing for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), the development of regional tourism and improved competitiveness for small and medium-sized industries (SMIs) to strengthen the people’s economy and create jobs.
Speaking in Jakarta on Wednesday, Hendry stressed the importance of broadening MSMEs’ access to capital through the People’s Business Credit (KUR), sharia-based financing and alternative financial instruments, enabling businesses to increase production capacity and reach wider markets.
He said support for MSMEs should also include ongoing business mentoring, capacity-building, digital marketing and easier compliance with product requirements and standards.
“MSMEs need wider access to financing, sustained mentoring and adequate marketing support. That will enable business owners not merely to survive, but also to grow and move up to the next level,” he said while presenting the House Commission VII partnership programme to PKS regional councillors from across Indonesia at the PKS central executive board’s national technical guidance event in Pekanbaru, Riau, on Tuesday (20 October).
He also highlighted the need for better infrastructure, transport access and supporting facilities, as well as simpler licensing and more certified tour guides, to improve the competitiveness of Indonesian tourist destinations.
“Indonesia has enormous tourism potential. The challenge is to make the most of it through adequate infrastructure, effective promotion and community involvement, so that tourism genuinely benefits regional economies,” said the chairman of the Riau Business Forum (Forbis).
To strengthen SMIs, he emphasised improving product quality, design, packaging, standardisation and marketing so that local products can gain value and compete in wider markets.
He also highlighted the importance of protecting the domestic market from illegal imported goods and business competition that could put pressure on domestic industry.
“Local products must be strengthened in terms of quality, design, packaging, standardisation and marketing. We want small and medium-sized industries to compete in wider markets, while ensuring domestic products have room to grow,” he said.
Hendry said strengthening MSMEs, tourism and SMIs required coordination between central and local governments so that policies and programmes matched community needs and each region’s potential.
He said regional councillors had a strategic role in overseeing government programmes, including ensuring that business financing, tourism development and support for local industry reached the people who needed it.
“Regional councillors have a strategic role in ensuring government programmes are properly targeted. We must strengthen cooperation between central and local government so that MSME financing, tourism development and support for local industry directly benefit the community,” he said.
Through stronger coordination, the programmes are expected to broaden business opportunities, improve the competitiveness of regional products, create jobs and drive economic growth that directly improves people’s welfare.