The Ministry Of Industry Calls SMEs That Take Advantage Of Credit Restructuring Still Few

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Industry (Kemenperin) said that there are still few domestic small and medium industry players (IKM) who take advantage of credit restructuring facilities provided by banks, considering that the requirements for obtaining loans are still quite difficult.

The Director General of Small, Medium, and Multifarious Industries (IKMA) of the Ministry of Industry, Reni Yanita, in Jakarta, Tuesday, August 20, said that credit restructuring, one of which was submitted through People's Business Credit (KUR), was still not optimal in its use for IKM players. This is because one of the requirements is whether or not it is receiving business (commercial) banking loans.

"Indeed, there is a KUR, but the requirements are intended for those who have never taken advantage of a loan. Our SMEs must already know the bank," he said, quoted from Antara.

Reni explained that from the KUR posture that had been distributed so far, the majority were used by farmers and fishermen, while the manufacturing industry players were only 19 percent.

Therefore, his party wants the credit restructuring program to be carried out to provide more convenience for IKM players, so that the promotion of domestic industries can be more optimal.

"We want to continue, but it is adjusted to the type of business. For example, there is enough Business Identification Number (NIB) as a guarantee or the interest is minimized again so that the benefits are more pronounced," he said.

Furthermore, Reni said, from the convenience of obtaining the loan, IKM players could also get other benefits, such as submissions for updating tools and production machines which would later be replaced by the Ministry of Industry through a machine and equipment restructuring program.

"In IKMA there is also a restructuring of machinery and equipment, we encourage them to buy machinery using bank loans, then claim to us so that we can be replaced," said Reni.

Bank Indonesia (BI) stated that new lending by banks in February 2024 is indicated to increase, supported by increasing demand for financing and prospects for monetary and economic conditions in the future.

The indications of this increase are reflected in the Weighted Net Balance (SBT) of 54.1 percent, higher than the January 2024 SBT of 24.5 percent.