MSME Ministry earmarks Rp350.2 billion for Aceh disaster recovery
“Our assistance extends beyond recovering production facilities and infrastructure to providing guidance for enterprises to resume production and grow,” M. Makhrisyafrisal, secretary to the ministry’s deputy for small enterprises, said.
He made the remarks on Monday (Sept. 7) at a coordination and dissemination meeting on the recovery of disaster-hit MSMEs, according to a press statement cited here on Tuesday.
Of the total allocation, Rp340.63 billion was earmarked for a presidential aid program targeting 113,292 microenterprises, with each business receiving Rp3 million (around US$172) to revitalize its operations, he said.
Makhrisyafrisal noted that the direct assistance was complemented by Rp2.6 billion in funding to repair a shared patchouli production facility and procure distillation machinery and lightweight brick-making equipment.
The official also said Rp4.81 billion had been allocated for empowerment programs targeting 5,312 MSMEs. The programs include guidance on access to financing, post-disaster capacity-building initiatives, market expansion training, and the development of landing pages to promote MSME products.
Another Rp2.16 billion was allocated for the UMKM Bangkit Clinic program, which will be implemented in Pidie Jaya, Pidie, North Aceh, Aceh Tamiang, and Banda Aceh, he added.
The word “bangkit” means “to rise up” in Indonesian. The MSME Ministry intends for the program to establish integrated platforms providing information, consultation, and facilitation services to businesses still recovering from disasters.
Makhrisyafrisal urged regional governments to support the recovery efforts by providing reliable data on MSMEs in need of assistance.
He said data and proposals from local governments are essential to ensuring that assistance is appropriately tailored to the actual needs and conditions of the targeted MSMEs.
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Translator: Shofi Ayudiana, Tegar Nurfitra