Independently Born Potential Entrepreneurs From Indonesian Migrant Workers

Photo: Doc. Bank Mandiri

Bank Mandiri continues to encourage Indonesian migrant workers (PMI) to advance to become entrepreneurs in realizing economic independence. This is realized by Bank Mandiri through an entrepreneurship empowerment and development program entitled Independently.

This is in accordance with the direction of the Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Erick Thohir so that state-owned banks (Himbara) continue to support (PMI). In a speech that was previously recorded, Erick said Himbara had a big role in providing assistance to capital for PMIs who were entrepreneurs before and when they returned to Indonesia.

According to Erick, PMI needs to immediately have a culture of saving and have a desire to learn entrepreneurship, especially those who want to return to their homeland. He hopes that state-owned banks will continue to assist in providing assistance so that PMI can prepare for a better future.

In order to make this happen, the Independent Program departed with the spirit of 'Being an Entrepreneur in your Own Country' again in several countries. The training program has been implemented in the span of timew 2022-2023 online and offline with a total of 2,312 PMi participants spread across Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, and closing in Hong Kong.

"This activity has a series of programs ranging from providing financial basis, personal financial development, to coaching and training related to entrepreneurship for PMIs who want to open a business or who already have a business," said Bank Mandiri President Director Darmawan Junaidi at the Mandiri Closing Ceremony 2022-2023, in Hong Kong, Sunday 9 July.

For this reason, the PMI entrepreneurship assistance program ends with several competitions that provide prizes for money to hone the results of training and give appreciation to PMI. As a result, five PMIs appeared as champions in two different categories and managed to obtain funding from Bank Mandiri worth a total of 9,000 HK$.

In the Business Future category, Samiati (PMI from Malang) managed to obtain 2,500 HK$ funding, followed by Tutik Suluyah (PMI from Ponorogo) with funding HKD 1,500 and Tumisih (PMI from Grobogan, Central Java) in third place with funding HK$ 1,000.

Meanwhile, in the Telor Breaking category, Carini (PMI from Cirebon) managed to become the first winner with the right to funding HK$ 2,500 and Nurkayati (PMI from Kediri) in second place received funding of HK$ 1,500.

Especially in the Future Business category, PMI is asked to develop a plan to start a business after returning to Indonesia realistically. In this competition, aspects that are considered include business opportunities, business innovation, and commitment.

Meanwhile, in the category of Egg Breaking, PMI is asked to show skills to sell any goods with a capital of 100 HKD in accordance with applicable regulations. Aspects that are considered include goods sold, sales strategies, sales duration, and sales profits.

Not only that, the MS Program this time also provides the Best Boss category to appreciate PMI Employers in Hong Kong who have treated PMI well and supported PMI in participating in the MS program. The winners of this category are Heni Hardiya, Poniati, and Siti Nurhalimah who each received prizes worth HK$ 1,500.

According to Darmawan, this funding can also be a motivation for PMIs to continue to develop their entrepreneurial skills. Also as evidence that PMIs are able to launch their own businesses, generate new jobs, and increase their income.

Since 2011 until now, the annual program "Mandiri Kujuk" has embraced more than 17,000 PMIs from various backgrounds and circles in a number of countries, namely in Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan and the Middle East. Bank Mandiri hopes that Mandiri can be a provision for PMI abroad when returning to Indonesia and able to become a creative, resilient entrepreneur and able to open wider jobs.

Not only that, but Bank Mandiri also provides Mr. Foster program, which is currently collaborating with Bank Mandiri partners to become mentors for PMI alumni in starting and developing their businesses.

"Several Bank Mandiri partners who have actively supported the activities of Mr. Foster previously include Astra International, Johnny Andrean, Bakso Ajo, Mandiri Amal Insani, and Alumni Wirausatra Mitra Mandiri (WMM). Several Independent alumni have succeeded in becoming entrepreneurs in Indonesia, becoming employers in their own country," he said.

The Independent Program is in line with Bank Mandiri's consistency in implementing the principles of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) in all business lines, especially in the social aspect. In addition, the Mandiri program is also Bank Mandiri's effort to achieve the eighth point of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to increasing inclusive and sustainable economic growth, productive and comprehensive job opportunities and decent work for all.

In this activity, Bank Mandiri also introduced the Livin' by Mandiri feature to PMI who are abroad. The Bank Mandiri's super app can be used by customers and prospective customers who are abroad using only the local state SIM Card number.

The introduction of the latest feature, which is part of a series of Livin' Around the World activities, has previously been held in several countries such as London, Singapore, United Arab Emirates and now Hong Kong. As a result, account opening services abroad on Livin' by Mandiri have continued to show an increase. Noted, accounts with overseas numbers grew 4 times in the last six months.

In line with that, Bank Mandiri consistently presents financial solutions for PMIs that have proven to play a role in supporting national economic growth. Bank Mandiri already has a money transfer service service at the Hong Kong remittance office (remittance office) to meet the needs of sending money or remittance by PMI.

Because, the benefits of remittance can be directly felt by the families of migrant workers. This service is also part of Bank Mandiri's efforts to provide financial solutions and increase financial inclusion in the community.