Erick Thohir Says SMEs With NIB Are Easier To Get Loans

SOE Minister Erick Thohir. (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - SOE Minister Erick Thohir said micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) who already have a Business Identification Number (NIB) as proof of business legality will be able to get financing more easily.

Erick said this convenience was in line with the implementation of the risk-based Online Single Submission (OSS) run by the Ministry of Investment/Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM).

“The government's alignment with people's economic development, especially MSMEs, is something that the President has assigned. Therefore, the Ministry of Investment, BUMN and Kemenkop UKM, we collaborate to make facilities, not only getting permits, but also getting financing," he said as quoted by Antara, Wednesday, July 6.

According to him, currently MSME financing is hampered because the data is not yet accurate.

This is also because there are still many MSME actors who do not yet have an NIB.

In fact, in the midst of a pandemic, MSMEs are considered to be quite resilient and survive.

He said, customers of the Mekaar PNM program even recorded a significant increase in the midst of the pandemic, from 5 million to 6 million customers, growing to 7.1 million customers.

"That (program) is a loan of Rp. 1 million-Rp 4 million. That is, in times of difficulty, micro-enterprises grow. And the jam rate is only 0.13 percent. This is a solid foundation. It's just that so far the data has not been synchronized," he said.

Erick also appreciated the efforts made by the Minister of Investment Bahlil Lahadalia and the Coordinating Minister for SMEs Teten Masduki to synergize the data of MSME players so that they could facilitate access to funding.

"That's the breakthrough that Mr. Bahlil and Mr. Teten made to synergize with us so that accurate data makes access and funding easier," he said.

On the same occasion, the Minister of Investment/Head of BKPM Bahlil Lahadalia said efforts to encourage MSME players to have legality were President Jokowi's directives to encourage MSMEs to advance to class.

According to Bahlil, President Jokowi ordered that his party not only take care of large investments but also small investments, including MSMEs.

"The point is that now we are mobilizing MSME actors who have not received a permit, must have a permit, from Aceh to Papua. Because of the President's order, if we build Indonesia not only on the island of Java, but we will build Indonesia from Aceh to Papua so that it is fair," said Bahlil.