Kadin Focuss On Strengthening MSMEs In 2023

Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Arsjad Rasjid. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) Arsjad Rasjid said his party would continue strategic initiatives in strengthening MSMEs to help the economy in the new year.

"We will focus on strengthening MSMEs by continuing the initiatives that have been presented by Kadin, including those related to inclusive closed-loop partnerships, Wiki Wirausaha, Kadin Hub, and a number of other initiatives," Arsjad said in his official statement, quoted from Antara, Thursday, December 29.

The government does not remain silent. Next year, the government will disburse aid worth IDR 45.8 trillion to support MSMEs in facing various turmoil.

The assistance is for the construction of 8 centers of Small and Medium Industries (IKM) and 13 MSME Integrated Business Service Centers (PLUT), including the revitalization of 60 IKM centers, as well as the distribution of funds for the Strengthening of the IKM Center Institutional Capacity (PK2SIKM) in 68 regions and funds to increase the capacity of Cooperatives and Small Micro Enterprises (PK2UMK) for 46.9 thousand participants.

The government has distributed total people's business loans (KUR) worth IDR 1,300 trillion rupiah to MSMEs and in the new year, there will be additional disbursement of funds of IDR 460 trillion.

With the various assistance that will be received by MSMEs, Arsjad revealed that Kadin will fill the void by providing assistance so that the assistance and convenience received by MSMEs will not be redundant.

This is done through inherent assistance, which encourages multi-party collaboration in helping MSME players grow stronger and more sustainable.

He believes that MSMEs are the most important pillar in Indonesia's economic structure. Referring to data from the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs in 2021, the number of MSMEs reached 64.2 million with a contribution to gross domestic product (GDP) of 61.07 percent or Rp. 8,573.89 trillion.

Moreover, many people travel at the moment of this new year, which is an opportunity for MSMEs to expand in marketing their products and exciting their business.

"With the assumption that the number of people traveling is around 44.7 million or equivalent to 11.92 million families, the circulation of money during the 2023 New Year holidays can reach Rp. 23.85 trillion," he said.