President Jokowi Applauds BRI for Developing MSMEs in Indonesia

President Jokowi during the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the BRI International Microfinance Center Building in IKN area, Penajam Paser Utara, East Kalimantan, on Thursday (Source: BPMI Setpres)

President of Indonesia Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has expressed appreciation for the strategic role of Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI) in supporting the development of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Indonesia.

The appreciation was conveyed by the President during the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the BRI International Microfinance Center Building in the new capital of Nusantara in Penajam Paser Utara regency, East Kalimantan province, Thursday (29/02).

“I highly appreciate what Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI) has done by providing loans to MSMEs amounting to more than 84 percent. This is extraordinary because BRI is willing to take care of small businesses, micro-enterprises, and medium-sized businesses,” he said.

Albeit not easy, President Jokowi also expressed appreciation for BRI’s contribution and hard work in developing MSMEs in Indonesia.

“No bank, both domestic and foreign banks, can match BRI’s profitability. It is the result of hard work in managing micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. I highly appreciate it,” the President added.

On that occasion, the Head of State once again underscored that IKN would become a balanced center located in the middle of the country and with its immense geographical uniqueness, IKN is believed to facilitate access from various regions, including Papua and Banda Aceh.

“At this point, where we are in the Nusantara Capital, if we count it in the picture, this is in the middle of our country Indonesia,” he said.

“Later, when the Nusantara airport is completed, around June-July, I want to try how long it takes from the Nusantara to the west and from Nusantara to the east. It shows that we are providing a point right in the middle for our new capital Nusantara,” he added.

The President also mentioned the challenges of infrastructure development in Nusantara that is still in the development stage. However, he emphasized that these projects, including the development of financial clusters, would have a positive impact on improving connectivity and economic growth in the new capital.

“The facilities in the Nusantara are indeed not yet finished. So, let’s not be pessimistic because the development is not yet complete,” he remarked. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/UN) (AS/EP)