PANGKALPINANG – Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are the most important pillars in the Indonesian economy. The contribution of MSMEs to the Indonesian economy includes the ability to absorb labor. For this reason, PT Timah Tbk remains committed to distributing the Micro Small Business Funding Program (PUMK) to support MSMEs in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.
PT Timah Tbk, again distributed PUMK funds for the third quarter of 2021 for 193 fostered partners with a value of Rp. 8.16 billion to MSMEs in the Company's operational areas in the Bangka Belitung Islands Province, Riau Province and Riau Islands, at Graha Timah, Monday (23/8). /2021).
The distribution of PUMK funds in the third quarter of 2021 is Pangkalpinang with 20 fostered partners with a value of Rp. 1.2 billion, Bangka Regency 25 fostered partners with a value of Rp. 975 million, West Bangka Regency as many as 11 fostered partners with a value of Rp. 445 million, Central Bangka Regency as many as 60 fostered partners with a value of Rp. 1.5 billion, South Bangka Regency as many as 26 fostered partners with a value of Rp. 1.2 billion, Belitung Regency 12 fostered partners with a value of Rp. 1.2 billion, East Belitung Regency 10 fostered partners with a value of Rp. 400 million, and Karimun Regency as many as 51 fostered partners with a value of IDR 1.5 billion.
The distribution of PUMK funds will be carried out for two days, Monday to Tuesday (23-24/8/2021) by implementing strict health protocols. Where the prospective fostered partners must go through the antigen swab process before entering the PUMK fund distribution room.
In the third quarter of 2021, PT Timah Tbk received a total of 238 proposals with a value of Rp. 19.2 billion. However, based on the results of the verification and survey of the team that met the qualifications, there were only 193 submissions with a value of Rp. 8.6 billion.
The Finance Director of PT Timah Tbk, Wibisono, in his remarks at the PUMK fund distribution event for the third quarter of 2021, requested that potential partners of PT Timah Tbk who received PUMK funds could really take advantage of this program to develop a business or start a business.
"Hopefully this program can increase business, so that later it can contribute more workers, so that it can revive the community's economy," he said.
He also advised that potential partners can carry out their responsibilities as foster partners. The reason is, the funds that are disbursed must continue to roll so that more MSMEs get the opportunity to get this program.
“Today's partner candidates have been selected. So, I ask the prospective fostered partners to carry out their responsibilities, because the partnership program is not a grant. So we have to pay, because this is a revolving fund, we will distribute it to other MSMEs in order to improve the economy in the company's operational area," he said.
He hopes that the efforts of the prospective fostered partners can continue to develop and progress, so that the purpose of distributing PUMK funds as an effort of PT Timah Tbk for MSMEs remains strong and independent.
“Hopefully this fund can increase existing businesses, as well as those who are just starting out. His business is getting more and more blessed, so there are no bad credits," he ordered.
According to him, the PUMK program is a corporate social responsibility in stimulating the community's economy. Especially in the midst of the current Covid-19 pandemic.
"PT Timah Tbk cannot be alone, PT Timah synergizes and collaborates with the Regional Government, business partners to jointly support MSMEs, so that they can move the community's economy," he said.
Meanwhile, Head of the Department of Manpower, Transmigration, Cooperatives and SMEs of South Bangka Regency, Haris Setiawan appreciated PT Timah Tbk's commitment in helping MSMEs.
"We appreciate and thank PT Timah for being committed to supporting MSMEs. Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, the concern of the government and SOEs is highly expected in order to provide support, institutions, capital and marketing for MSME actors," he said.
"Support like this is very beneficial for the fostered partners, this is an example for all of us. Hopefully in the future it can be better and further improved," he said.
He also reminded prospective partners of PT Timah Tbk to make the best use of this program. So, later it can have a direct impact on the progress of its business.
"We congratulate the prospective fostered partners, but this good opportunity is used as well as possible, because this support is the choice of many MSMEs in Babylon. Please use this trust and trust from PT Timah as well as possible," he said.
One of the fostered partners, Putra said that this program is very helpful for business actors in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. To carry out a number of innovations, he admits, capital is needed. Moreover, currently there is a change in consumer trends.
“My business was greatly affected during the Covid-19 pandemic because of the cafe business. Since 2019 it has to be innovated, because the cafe was closed. We have to cover operational and employee costs. Finally, I innovated to switch to catering, we picked up consumers," he said on the sidelines of distributing PUMK funds.
"To survive, we must innovate, now consumer patterns are changing, so we must understand digital marketing very well. That's why I borrowed capital from PT Timah Tbk to develop my business, so that it can survive and be more advanced," he continued.
He said, the PUMK program could be a solution for MSMEs like them to survive. So that their efforts can still survive despite facing many challenges.
“It is very helpful, the program from PT Timah Tbk is not complicated, the process is fast. So that we also make it easier," he said.
Similarly, Ahmad Febriansyah said that the partnership funds will be used to increase production equipment and working capital and labor. So that their business can continue to grow and compete.
"I'm in the interior design and production business. It continues to grow, so it needs production equipment. That's why, I borrowed funds from PT Timah Tbk, the interest was low, and for the first two months we didn't pay the installments straight away, so that everything could be used for capital," he said.
He hopes that PT Timah Tbk can continue to help SMEs in terms of capital
"Hopefully we can continue this program, so that it can help MSMEs," he concluded.
