Singaraja- Ganesha University of Education (Undiksha) was chosen as the venue for holding public lectures and book reviews on MSME financing by the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia and PT. King of Grafindo Persada. The implementation of this activity is in collaboration with the Faculty of Economics, centered in the Undiksha auditorium, Thursday (10/3/2022).
The event was opened by the Chancellor of Undiksha, Prof. Dr. I Nyoman Jampel, M.Pd. He expressed his appreciation for organizing this activity. According to him, it is very important in order to make a positive contribution related to the development of MSMEs, especially in terms of funding, such as the government’s commitment to continue to encourage the empowerment of MSMEs, so that they can make a greater contribution to the economy of this nation.
The Chancellor of Jampel assessed that the development of the MSME sector could be an alternative to overcome the economic downturn due to the Covid-19 pandemic, especially in Bali which is largely dependent on the tourism sector. Therefore, it is very important to ensure alignment with MSMEs so that they can develop properly. “For this reason, through the activities carried out by the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, he conducted a book study related to strengthening MSMEs. I hope there is certainty for MSMEs to foster the spirit of MSMEs so that they can revive the economies of Bali and Indonesia,” he said.
As a tertiary institution that has a role in producing competent human resources, Undiksha, especially at the Faculty of Economics, has taken strategic steps. One of them is by encouraging student entrepreneurship. This has been supported by funding from financial partners. “With this, we hope that students will be able to become excellent entrepreneurs and inspire our younger generation to form MSMEs,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Airlangga Hartarto as the keynote speaker said that in an effort to revive MSMEs in Indonesia, the government has rolled out financing programs, social protection, and so on. “This is partisanship and support for MSMEs. The government also provides a credit restructuring policy so that the burden on debtors can be reduced,” he explained.
With the challenges ahead, he said, the government continues to integrate all financing facilities so that empowering MSMEs will trigger the acceleration of national economic recovery. The government also provides several social protections such as Productive Presidential Assistance and Pre-Employment Cards which are considered to increase new entrepreneurship. In addition, partnership and environmental development programs as well as CSR for MSMEs are continuously encouraged so they can have access to trade. “The government continues to add added value to the economy, especially strengthening entrepreneurship, MSMEs, and cooperatives,” he continued.
Specifically, related to MSME financing books, it is hoped that they can add knowledge to academics, policymakers, and students to carry out monitoring, and evaluation to find out policies in the MSME sector. “Hopefully this book can strengthen synergy and coordination to empower MSMEs in order to accelerate and take advantage of the momentum of economic recovery,” he added.
This activity was attended directly by the Deputy for Coordination of Macroeconomics and Finance, Iskandar Simorangkir. It is also an introduction to the discussion. This activity was also filled with MSME exhibitions and banking clinic booths distributing People’s Business Credit (KUR). (hms)
