President Invites UKM Business Actors to Stay Optimistic in Facing Pandemic

Detiktoday.com – The Head of State also invited recipients of assistance to participate in socializing and implementing health protocols in the immediate environment

President Joko Widodo understood a number of complaints felt by business people, especially micro and small, which were affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Most of them felt a decrease in sales turnover during this pandemic. For this reason, the government provides working capital assistance for these business actors so they can continue to run their businesses.

Located in the courtyard of the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java, on Friday, July 24, 2020, President Joko Widodo again handed over working capital assistance to 65 micro and small business entrepreneurs from Bogor City and Regency. The division was conducted in two separate sessions in an effort to comply with the health protocol.

“The atmosphere and the current situation and situation is not an easy situation because of the corona pandemic which has an impact on the economy. This is experienced not only by micro, small, medium, large ones who all feel the same,” the President said before businesspeople micro and small are present.

The complaint was even conveyed directly by one of the small traders present. The Covid-19 pandemic that hit this made economic activities seem paralyzed and burdensome to them.

“At the time of the pandemic it was very difficult. All economic activities seemed to stop. That was very risky for us. After the PSBB period it went up a little bit, thank God but it was not normal. We are not yet normal, but we must fight,” he said.

Hearing this, the Head of State invited micro and small businesses, as well as all parties, not to despair. Working capital assistance of Rp2.4 million received by each recipient is expected to ease their burden to resume their economic activities.

“Hopefully this can help you increase your working capital,” the President said.

In addition, to prevent further spread from Covid-19, the Head of State invited business people present to participate in socializing and implementing health protocols in their immediate environment. Because at this time the pandemic which has hit at least 215 countries in the world has not ended yet.

“I also send to all of you to the environment to be invited to wear masks, wash hands after activities, keep a distance, avoid crowds, avoid meetings of many people because this pandemic is not over yet,” the President said.

For information, in August, similar working capital assistance received by 65 micro and small business operators will also be provided to at least 12 million MSMEs to help reduce the burden caused by the pandemic. The government has allocated a budget of Rp381 billion for these needs.

Also present at the handover ceremony was Minister of State Secretary Pratikno and President Heru Budi Hartono’s Secretariat Head.