Jokowi Praises Mekaar Program, Erick: Proof of Support for MSMEs

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Erick Thohir said that the PNM Mekaar program could be successful because of the support of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi). The economic development program for prosperous families (Mekaar) assisted by National Civil Capital (PNM) is also proof of the government's seriousness in maintaining and increasing the competitiveness of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

“Thank God, Mr. President today expressed his joy when meeting with Mekaar women in Magelang Regency, Central Java Province,” said Erick in an official statement, Tuesday (30/1/2024).

The government is committed to supporting the development of MSMEs by forming an ultra-micro BUMN holding (uMi), consisting of BRI, Pegadaian and PNM, in September 2021. Together with BUMN, Erick believes that MSMEs are the backbone of the current and future Indonesian economy.

“Mr President's policy, since the beginning I have been Minister of BUMN, and I believe that MSMEs must be the basis of the national economy, so that not only the big ones continue to develop, but the small ones must continue to grow and to create higher class MSME entrepreneurs, and God willing, they will become big too,” he said.

Currently, the number of customers who are combined as customers of the three BUMNs is above double digits. He detailed that BRI's ultra micro customers reached 36.6 million customers, while PNM had 15.2 million customers, and Pegadaian had 24 million customers. With good assistance to all customers and ongoing coaching, Erick is optimistic that an ecosystem of small entrepreneurs who are honest, disciplined and hard working can be formed.

“This is proven by the good performance of customers by regularly paying installments,” said Erick.

Previously, Jokowi met with PNM Mekaar participants at Gemilang Stadium, Magelang Regency, Central Java Province, Monday (29/1/2024). In his speech, Jokowi expressed his joy at being able to meet the Mekaar program participants again.

“Perhaps it has been more than four years since I met PNM Mekaar customers and today in 2024 the first ones to meet are customers from Magelang Regency. I am happy because the spirit is still the spirit of '45, all ladies,” said Jokowi.

Apart from that, Jokowi was also happy because loan distribution through PNM Mekaar had increased significantly since it was launched in 2015. The number of active PNM Mekaar customers has currently also increased from thousands to millions of customers.

“I am also happy because in 2015, at that time, approximately only IDR 800 billion was distributed to approximately 400 thousand customers, now there are 15.2 million active customers and IDR 237 trillion has been distributed,” said Jokowi.

[Gambas:Video CNBC]

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