Cooperatives and SMEs Ministry to Prioritize Start Up Capital Program

Jakarta, InfoPublik - Cooperatives, Small and Medium Enterprises Ministry will focus on three strategic programs, namely data arrangement through Cooperative Identification Number certification, notarial deed facilities for micro businesses, and start-up capital for entrepreneurs. These three programs will be the focus of improvement in 2017.

"Budget cuts did affect the priority targets of Cooperatives, Small and Medium Enterprises Ministry that had been drafted in Government Work Plan (RKP) 2017 and National Medium Term Development Plan (RPJMN) 2015-2019. We will strive to achieve the targets in 2017," said Minister Puspayoga during a meeting with House of Representatives’ Commission VI on Tuesday (14/2) in Jakarta.

In 2016, the Ministry’s budget absorption reached Rp1.065 trillion, while budget that was not realized reached Rp47.23 billion due to self-blocking or savings reason. By the end of the fiscal year, the Ministry absorbed Rp1.018 trillion. "The ministry managed to use Rp975.6 billion or 94.05 percent," he said.

Puspayoga continued that Cooperative and SMEs Ministry’s remaining budget in 2016 reached Rp60.55 billion or 5.95 percent consisting of the efficiency of program implementation, savings in power and services, and personnel expenditure budget surplus.

In regards with 2017 budget which amounted to Rp917.2 billion, Minister Puspayoga said that Cooperative and SMEs Ministry will coordinate with Finance Ministry, National Development Planning Agency, and House of Representatives’ Commission VI in order to reach the targets.

In addition to the three programs, the Ministry also put attention to People’s Business Credit assisting program, the revitalization of traditional markets, certification and standardization of SME products, micro-small industry operating license (IUMK), and entrepreneurship training. (Translator: Siti Chodijah)