Muhaimin proposes additional budget for SMEs and creative economy under Rp1 trillion

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for People’s Empowerment Muhaimin Iskandar has proposed an additional special budget of less than Rp1 trillion this year to strengthen the micro, small, and medium enterprises (UMKM) sector and the creative economy (ekraf). “This year, a special budget will be added for all UMKM and creative economy activities. I am proposing less than Rp1 trillion and, God willing, it will continue to be increased for activities that encourage the growth and development of our UMKM,” Muhaimin said after attending a limited meeting at the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta on Tuesday. In addition to budgetary support, the government is also continuing to strengthen financing access through simplified credit schemes, particularly People’s Business Credit (KUR) for small and medium enterprise actors. Muhaimin emphasised that all ongoing people’s empowerment programmes will continue to be implemented through coordination by the Coordinating Ministry for People’s Empowerment with relevant ministries and agencies. According to him, the government will urge all ministries, agencies, and State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) to be more active in facilitating UMKM actors to develop and gain market access. Furthermore, one of the steps being promoted is the utilisation of idle assets or spaces owned by BUMN, ministries, and agencies for UMKM activities, whether as marketing locations, product display spaces, or hosting creative economy festivals. “All programmes that have been planned and implemented by the Coordinating Ministry along with the ministries will continue, especially for UMKM, we will encourage and continue to request and instruct the ranks of ministries and agencies to continue facilitating our UMKM,” he added.