PNM Receives Appreciation 'Top Company in Ultra Micro Finance for Women Empowerment'

Ist English: Ist

JAKARTA - Efforts to empower women through access to ultra-micro financing have again received recognition. PT Permodalan Nasional Madani (PNM) received an appreciation as the 'Top Company in Ultra Micro Finance for Women Empowerment', an award given to companies that are considered capable of delivering a tangible impact in encouraging the economic independence of Indonesian women.

This recognition is not only based on the amount of financing disbursed, but also on the empowerment model that PNM has run for millions of ultra-micro entrepreneur women. Through the Membina Ekonomi Keluarga Sejahtera (Mekaar) program, the company, which is included as an Ultra Micro Holding, has reached a pre-prosperous community group that has difficulty accessing formal financial services.

To date, PNM has served more than 23 million active customers, all of whom are pre-prosperous women. The scale of the service makes PNM the largest group-based ultra-micro financing institution in the world.

Deputy President Director of PNM Sunar Basuki said that PNM's difference from other financing companies lies in the approach that does not stop at the distribution of business capital.

"Behind the financing provided, there is a process of regular assistance and empowerment through the Weekly Group Meeting (PKM). It is a space that customers can use to increase financial literacy, share business experiences, and strengthen social networks among fellow customers," said Sunar.

In addition to access to unsecured financing, customers also receive business development training, financial literacy, the use of digital technology through the PNM Digi application, and facilitating business legality such as the Business Registration Number (NIB) and halal certification.

This approach is considered an important factor in increasing business capacity as well as strengthening the competitiveness of female ultra-micro entrepreneurs.

This award also reflects the contribution of women in supporting the family economy. Most of Mekaar's customers are housewives who start businesses on a very small scale, ranging from trading, culinary, handicrafts, to home services.

With the increased business capacity, they not only earn additional income, but also play a role as a driving force for the economy at the family and community levels.

In the midst of economic challenges that are still faced by the ultra micro business group, the empowerment model that combines access to capital, assistance, and capacity building is considered to be an increasingly relevant approach. Therefore, the appreciation as the Top Company in Ultra Micro Finance for Women Empowerment is seen not only as recognition of the size of the business run by PNM, but also for its contribution in building the independence of millions of Indonesian women and strengthening the foundation of the people's economy from the grassroots level.