Many Manpower Absorption, MSMEs Can Become Automotive Automotives Of The Economy

President Director of PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk Sunarso. (Photo: Doc. Antara/BRI)

JAKARTA - Indonesia's economic growth can be achieved through focusing on domestic growth drivers by activating micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) that can encourage job creation.

"This is where BRI whose core business MSMEs must play a more active role, because 97 percent of jobs in Indonesia come from MSMEs," said President Director of PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk Sunarso in a written statement quoted by Antara, Thursday, November 10.

He is optimistic that if credit continues to grow selectively, it will have a positive impact on national economic resilience.

"In this context I still say keep growing, what does it mean? Our efforts to suppress inflation are important, but it would be even better if we could suppress inflation and continue to grow our economy so that there is no stagnation and no additional unemployment," said Sunarso.

He assessed that Ultra Micro Holding (UMi) was actually able to record positive performance after being formed one year ago. This is reflected in data until the end of August 2022, the number of customers from the three holding entities has reached 23.5 million customers with a total outstanding financing of IDR 183.9 trillion.

In addition, BRI has succeeded in upgrading 1.8 million KUR Micro customers to Commercial in 2021 and in 2022 it is predicted that it will increase to 2.2 million customers.

The data also states that until August 2022, the integration of the three services entities via Smile Gerai has reached 1,003 locations from the initial target of 978 locations. UMi's new rescuers reached 6.85 million from the initial target of 3.3 million. Mekaar PNM customers who joined as BRILink agents reached 40,121.

Sunarso said Holding Ultra Micro was BRI's strategic step to go smaller, go shorter, and go faster. He is optimistic that Holding UMi can reach 45 million ultra micro business actors who need funding and financial access.

"The formation of an ultra micro ecosystem will strengthen BRI's journey in achieving the aspirations of The Most Valuable Banking Group in Southeast Asia and the Champion of Financial Inclusion, and continue to provide sustainable value for all stakeholders," said Sunarso.

Trade Investment & Industry Working Group (TIIWG): SOE International Conference as part of the G20 Presidency has determined the acceleration of financial inclusion as one of the priority issues to be handled by G-20 countries.

Various initiatives have also been shown by various countries to reach unbankable communities. SOEs as agents of development have shown a series of initiatives to increase financial inclusion in Indonesia, one of which is through the establishment of Ultra Micro Holding (UMi).

Since it was officially formed on September 13, 2021, the Holding consists of BRI, PT Pegadaian, and PT Permodalan Nasional Madani (PNM). This has resulted in impressive performance.