Fighting COVID-19, The Ministry Of Trade Synergizes With Gojek To Facilitate The Distribution Of Basic Needs

Minister of Trade, Agus Suparmanto. (Photo: Ministry of Trade)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Trade has taken strategic steps in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and in welcoming the arrival of Ramadan and Lebaran 2020. The Ministry of Trade signed a memorandum of understanding with Gojek to ensure distribution and transportation of the availability of basic necessities and essential goods for the community, including beef commodities. .

The signing was carried out at the Ministry of Trade's office by the Director General of Domestic Trade Suhanto and the Director of Public Policy and Government Relations, Gojek Shinto Nugroho, witnessed by the Minister of Trade Agus Suparmanto.

"The signing which will then be followed up with a business to business (b to b) cooperation agreement scheme between Gojek and the Indonesian Meat Importers Association (ASPIDI), the Indonesian Retail Entrepreneurs Association (APRINDO), and the Association of Indonesian Market Traders (APPSI) is expected. can help speed up the flow of transportation and distribution. That way, it can help the affordability of the community and we can effectively implement this Large-Scale Social Restriction (PSBB), "said Trade Minister Agus Suparmanto in a statement received by VOI, Tuesday, April 21.

Memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Trade and Gojek. (Photo: Ministry of Trade)

The implementation of this memorandum of understanding will later become a bridge between consumer needs and the supply of goods from business actors. Gojek, as an online transportation company, plays a role as a service actor that delivers these basic and important goods.

Shinto Nugroho explained that Gojek is committed to being at the forefront of meeting the needs of the community so that they can safely pass this difficult time of the pandemic. Previously, the Ministry of Trade also asked all regents and mayors throughout Indonesia through a circular so that access to the distribution channels for basic needs and essential goods, including medicines, health supplements and medical devices, would not be hampered.

"In the GO-JEK and ASPIDI cooperation scheme, the selling price of beef by ASPIDI members will continue to prioritize affordability, and refer to the reference price stipulated in MOT 7/2020," explained the Trade Minister.

As a high source of protein, beef is a basic necessity for the community according to the Presidential Decree 71/2015. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for beef from the slaughter rate in slaughterhouses (RPH) has decreased by around 20-30 percent. Based on data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), currently the national demand for beef is 717,150 tons per year, or the equivalent of 2.5 kg per capita consumption per year.

Currently, the stock of beef is still sufficient at around 36,000 tons, including stocks in ASPIDI members of 3,800 tons. Perum Bulog itself still has frozen beef stock of 110 tons. In order to maintain adequate beef stock in the face of the COVID-19, Ramadan, and Eid pandemic this year, the government has also increased the supply of imports through assignments from BUMN and private companies.

Meanwhile, to increase sales of food commodities in public markets and modern retail, Gojek will also collaborate with APPSI and APRINDO. About 20 percent of the people's market and APRINDO members already serve online sales. With this memorandum of understanding, it is hoped that this figure will increase, making it easier for people to fast.

The Trade Minister added that the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia has reduced market demand for food commodities. This is triggered by the number of hotels, restaurants, caterers, school canteens and offices, as well as warteg which limit their activities, and even choose not to operate. This declining consumption has also contributed to the national economic slowdown.