Gov’t Provides Interest Subsidy for Real Sectors Hit Hard by COVID-19

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto delivers press statement after a Limited Meeting, Wednesday. (Photo: PR/Ibrahim)

The Government to provide interest subsidy for real sectors of the economy that are highly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto.

“Restaurant and tourism sector are among the hardest hit by the pandemic, their year-on-year earnings continue to decline to 70 percent, while year-on-year earnings of other sectors only declined to 22 percent. Nevertheless, other sectors such as rubber industry, staple food industry, pharmaceutical industry, health sector, and vegetable oil industry still recorded positive growth,” the Coordinating Minister said in a press statement after a Limited Meeting, Wednesday (29/4).

Considering Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) hit hard by the pandemic, the Government will provide interest subsidy of 6 percent for the first three months, and 3 percent for the following three months.

“The interest subsidy is not only for Smallholder Business Credit (KUR) but also for other loan which worth between Rp10 million – Rp500 million. As for loan worth between Rp500 million – Rp10 billion the interest rate will be 3 percent for the first three months, and 2 percent for the following three months,” he said.

The Coordinating Minister went on to say that interest rate of loan which worth up to Rp10 billion, as well as loan granted to Ultra Micro (UMi), the Fostering of Economy of the Prosperous Family (Mekaar) programs, and through state-owned pawnshop PT Pegadaian will be six percent for six months.

“For those have not registered in the banking and micro financial database system can register in the Agency for Revolving Fund Management for Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises (LPDB), or in agencies overseeing the UMi, Mekaar, and state capital injections (PMN) programs,” he explained.

He further said that the Government will expand the KUR to three million new debtors and will also increase the recipients of UMi program by 550,000 people.

On that occasion, the Coordinating Minister asserted that the Government will calculate budget for working capital loan program. The Government will review those eligible for the loan and prepare the disbursement.

According to the Coordinating Minister, the Government will involve two state-run loan guarantors PT Jamkrindo and Askrindo as the guarantor system for working capital loan.

In order to carry out national economic recovery, the Government is finalizing a Government Regulation which is derived from Government Regulation in Lieu of Law Number 1 of 2020 on State Finance Policy and Financial System Stability in the handling of COVID-19.

“The President expect this can be finalized soon since it will become the basis of policy in securing the economic sector,” he said adding that the program will prioritize small business affected by the pandemic. (FID/EN)

Translated by : Rany Anjany S
Reviewed by: Yuyu Mulyani