BRI Distributes Financing To MBG Food Supply Cooperatives

JAKARTA - PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk continues to strengthen its contribution in improving food security and improving the quality of Indonesia's human resources. One tangible manifestation of this commitment is the support for the Produsen Net Mas Sejahtera Cooperative which is actively supplying foodstuffs for the Free Nutrition Food (MBG) program in the Riau region.

This cooperative has been BRI's active partner for more than 10 years and is engaged in the provision of key commodities such as rice, fish, chicken, and eggs. In carrying out its operations, cooperatives also collaborate with local suppliers to provide other staples such as cooking oil, vegetables, fruit, tofu, and tempeh. This synergy creates a broad economic impact, from food producers to local workers.

Until now, the cooperative has supplied food needs to 11 school kitchens spread across Pekanbaru City and Kampar Regency. Each kitchen is managed by about 50 employees, bringing the total workforce involved to 600 people. Weekly needs cover up to 22 tons of vegetables and 50 tons of fish, creating a stable market for cooperative members.

"The MBG program provides market certainty for our business. As a producer cooperative, we feel firsthand the positive impact of BRI financing which allows us to maintain the supply chain optimally, as well as empower local farmers and fishermen," said Owner of the Kampar Unit Vendor of the Sejahtera Mas Net Producers Cooperative Indra Noupal.

BRI has distributed financing to members of this cooperative through People's Business Credit (KUR). This shows the level of trust and capability of cooperatives in managing financing in a healthy and productive manner.

BRI Corporate Secretary Agustya Hendy Bernadi, said that the support was part of BRI's commitment to creating sustainable social impacts through empowering the MSME sector.

BRI considers that the MBG program is not only about nutrition, but also about opening up local economic opportunities. BRI is here to ensure that MSME players who are part of the supply chain of this program can grow and develop sustainably," said Hendy.

He added, BRI does not only act as a financing provider, but also as a strategic partner in business growth. We hope that the empowerment provided through access to financing can increase the turnover and business scale of MSMEs and cooperatives. In the long term, this will create a more resilient and sustainable local economy," concluded Hendy. (ADV)