ACT Capital Waqf Program, Vice Governor Hopes MSMEs to Grow amid Covid-19

Jakarta Vice Governor, Ahmad Riza Patria, attended and symbolically launched the Indonesia Micro Business Capital Waqf Program (WM UMI) Aksi Cepat Tanggap (ACT) 2021, in the Bappeda Pattern Room, Block G Building, 2nd Floor, Jakarta City Hall, Central Jakarta, on Monday (6/14).

Let's strive to improve the professionalism of micro and small business entrepreneurs

In his speech, he appreciated the program and hoped that it could be one of solutions for MSMEs to survive and develop in a bid to improve welfare, especially those most affected by the Covid-19 outbreak.

"The WM UMI program is a revolving capital assistance for business actors accompanied by assistance. The economy has not fully recovered, according to a BI survey, around 72% or 12 million MSMEs have become economic units affected by the pandemic. 20% of them won't last long and have the potential to experience bankruptcy. That's why we hope the program can solve it," he expressed, as quoted by Jakarta PPID's press release.

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He revealed that the revolving capital was very effective, aimed at increasing economic activity among micro-enterprises, increasing the volume of cooperatives and SMEs, increasing employment, increasing the spirit of cooperatives, increasing the income of micro and small businesses, and improving work ethic. Aside that, it should be monitored thus it could be accounted for and achieve its target of developing the next MSME.

"What we all need to pay attention to for micro and small business actors is related to capital, access to marketing, management and business skills. That's why Jakarta holds business guidance and development, with the hope that in time micro and small businesses will play a role as a driver of Jakarta's economic strength which in turn will become a driving force for the national economy. Let's strive to improve the professionalism of micro and small business entrepreneurs, develop micro and small businesses as entrepreneurs, thus they become the strength and economic revival of the people," he expressed.

He added that the guidance for small entrepreneurs through the Jakpreneur program was continuously intensified, which currently has 242,000 people. Jakpreneur seeks to prepare MSMEs in Jakarta to compete and can adapt through various activities that develop MSME capacity, namely training, mentoring, licensing, marketing, financial reporting and capital. It also connects MSMEs with stakeholders to encourage the growth and progress of business actors as an effort to move the city's economy by promoting the spirit of collaboration.

Global Waqf Foundation (GWF) President, N. Imam Akbari revealed that ACT and the administration together understand that the current condition should be faced together. He believed that in today's challenges, there were opportunities for goodness, to grow together hand in hand. Spirit of mutual cooperation could make goodness. He also ensured that MSMEs also provided job opportunities for the public. In Jakarta, his party already had branches in 5 regions, they just need to build in Thousand Islands.

"We carry the theme Together Raising Indonesian MSMEs. The pandemic results in limited movement, but we believe we can rise soon. The initial stage of this program has a target of helping 10,000 MSMEs. In Jakarta today we can do it. Nationally, we have facilitated 8,600 MSMEs. In Jakarta, we and Jakpreneur can collaborate. The spirit of these MSME friends is outstanding. There are now 78 companions. Per person can assist 50 to 100 MSMEs," he said.