President Jokowi Lauds MSMEs’ Participation in Mekaar Program

President Jokowi interacts with participants of Mekaar program from state-owned community development institution PT Permodalan Nasional Madani (PNM), at Keyongan Kidul Sabdodadi Square, Bantul regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta, Tuesday (01/30). (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/Kris)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo Tuesday (01/30) lauded entrepreneurs of Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) joining the Mekaar program (which stands for Membina Ekonomi Keluarga Sejahtera – Fostering the Economy of the Prosperous Family) which was launched in 2015.

According to the President, their participation is expected to level up MSMEs.

“Micro businesses can level up to small business, small business can grow into medium business, and medium business can advance into big business. It takes one step at a time,” the President said when meeting with participants of Mekaar program from state-owned community development institution PT Permodalan Nasional Madani (PNM), at Keyongan Kidul Sabdodadi Square, Bantul regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta.

He went on to say that the total of loan disbursed to the program’s creditors has increased significantly. Furthermore, smaller non-performing loan rate of Mekaar program compared to that of banks loan indicates creditors’ commitment to repay their loans and to produce MSME products.

On that occasion, the Head of State encouraged all MSMEs players to maintain their optimism in facing various business-related problems and be patient during the process. He also reminded participants to place a trust to manage capital loan that was given to them to improve economic condition of their families.

“Use that trust to work even harder to improve economy of your families and to increase the GDP. Ladies, you all have important roles in our economic growth,” he stated. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/ABD) (RAS/LW)