President Jokowi Launches Productive Presidential Aid for 12 Million Micro Enterprises

President Jokowi warmly greets business actors who receive the Productive Presidential Aid for Micro Enterprises (BPUM) Program at the State Palace, Jakarta, Monday (24/8). (Photo by: PR / Jay).

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has launched the Productive Presidential Aid for Micro Enterprises (BPUM) Program for 12 million micro and small business actors to increase their working capital amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This productive presidential aid is a grant, it is not a loan or a credit. I hope the productive aid can be properly used for additional capital to sustain their businesses,” the President said at the Launching of the BPUM Program at the State Palace, Jakarta, Monday (24/8).

During the launching, the productive aid was only provided to 1 million micro and small enterprises. “As many as 4.5 million micro and small enterprises is expected to receive the aid by the end of August, 9.1 million micro and small enterprises by the end of September, and 12 million micro and small enterprises in the final phase. In total, there will be 12 million recipients who will receive the productive aid of Rp 2.4 million,” the President said.

According to the President, the funds will be directly sent to the recipient’s account.

On that occasion, the President also urged the recipients who physically or virtually attended the launching to check their accounts in order to ensure that the funds have been transferred.

The President further said that the productive aid will gradually send to 12 million micro and small enterprises. “Once again, we hope that the aid can be used for additional capital to sustain your business,” the President added.

At the end of his remarks, the President reminded the recipients to wisely use the aid to make the business become more productive rather than consumptive, adding that all business actors should strict follow health protocols in reopening their businesses.

“Wear a mask, keep a safe distance between seller and buyer, wash your hands frequently, and avoid crowds. That will be fine if COVID-19 vaccines have been discovered. If the situation becomes normal, we will return to normal activities,” the President concluded. (FID / EN)

Translated by: Syarifah Aisyah
Reviewed by: Yuyu Mulyani