Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno is worried that the revocation of the Direct Cash Assistance (BLT) program for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) could disrupt the recovery of the tourism and economic sector (parekraf).
"I myself was reminded by parekraf actors that our assistance is eagerly awaited by MSMEs. I see that the moment of our revival is still early and must really be calculated if the BLT is revoked," Sandiaga said in a written statement, Monday, January 2.
Sandiaga said that BLT was very accepted by MSMEs as a popular policy and received positive responses from the public, as had happened when MSME players were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and economic inflation.
"This BLT is one of our efforts to care and take sides with the community, especially (for lower middle and middle class groups)," he said.
He also hopes that the BLT program can be right on target, right benefits, and on time as a form of preparation for the tourism sector towards a new era that focuses on increasing the class of MSME actors.
"Hopefully any policies that will be made, can be properly socialized, so as not to cause disappointment in the community," said Sandiaga.
Previously, Minister of Cooperatives and SMEs Teten Masduki said the government would no longer roll out Productive Assistance for Micro Enterprises (BPUM) or BLT for MSMEs this year.
"As of today, the government feels that MSMEs have recovered and survived, so the BPUM grant program is no longer needed," Teten said as quoted by Antara, Monday, December 26.
Even so, Teten said the government would remain alert while looking at developments in the future.
He did not deny that if economic conditions were not too good, then the government could make adjustments.
"We will try to evaluate later, if the progress is not very good, yes, like in previous years, the government can provide adjustments to programs and financing," he added.
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