Airlangga Calls MSMEs Support During Crisis And Employment Providers

Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto during a visit to MSME business in Central Java. (photo: doc. ekon)

JAKARTA - The government continues to provide assistance to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to rise up in the midst of the pandemic. This was emphasized by Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto, because it is one of the sectors that is the backbone of the national economy.

"In this COVID-19 pandemic situation, we encourage MSMEs to be given direct cash assistance and capital assistance. One of them is through the MSME business group," Airlangga said in a press release in Jakarta, Tuesday, February 1.

MSMEs are an important sector with a contribution to gross domestic product of 61 percent and absorb labor up to 97 percent, a contribution to investment of 60 percent and non-oil and gas exports by 16 percent.

"MSMEs have become a buffer in various economic crises, including maintaining employment during the COVID-19 pandemic," said Airlangga.

Previously, on Sunday, January 30, Airlangga made a working visit to Central Java to meet dozens of members of the SME business group in Kulon Village, Semarang City, Central Java.

On that occasion, Airlangga, who is the builder of the SME business group, discussed with Sutia (39) with her husband Muhammad Faridudin (40), the owner of a nata de coco processing business and was attended by 20 other MSMEs. Nata de coco is a type of food made from fermented coconut water.

Sutia admitted that she was nervous while waiting for Airlangga to come to her house. "I'm a bit confused what to do when I meet Mr. Airlangga. I keep asking my husband, is Mr. Airlangga coming or not, my husband said he is," said Sutia.

However, the atmosphere melted when Airlangga stopped at his MSME booth. While talking about the sales turnover obtained and the obstacles Sutia faced during her business, Airlangga also had time to try how to package nata de coco using a plastic press machine.

"Mr. Airlangga asked how much the turnover was, how was the marketing, what were the obstacles. Then, Pak Airlangga tried to wrap it, I was nervous, I was given a round of applause," said Sutia.

Melati nata de coco's business was initiated by Sutia and her husband since 2014, when her husband was laid off. Since then, with the capital from the sale of land, he chose to try to make nata de coco.

Initially, the production of the nata de coco processing business was sold from house to house, to several local markets in the cities of Semarang, Salatiga, Kendal, and Solo.

In 2018, Sutia's business began to be established and has a number of employees. However, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit Indonesia in 2020, most MSMEs felt the negative impact, including their own businesses.

During the pandemic, Sutia's nata de coco orders decreased, which affected her income. Usually, in one week he earns IDR 700.000, but due to the policy of implementing restrictions on community activities (PPKM) his income has decreased to only IDR 250.000 per week.

"Usually there are orders for events, orders in the market. But, since the pandemic has dropped dramatically. It is hoped that with the help of Mr. Airlangga as a coach, our business can bounce back," she said.

Sutia is a member of the MSME Business Group assisted by Airlangga Hartarto who has benefited since joining the WirausAHA Maju training program including business tips in the midst of a pandemic and how to market products.