Jakarta - Three ministers signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) as a follow-up to Presidential Regulation No. 98 of 2014 regarding Licensing for Micro and Small Businesses. The signing of the MoU marks a significant moment for micro and small business actors, as it aims to provide business certainty and facilitate access to capital.
"When I traveled across Indonesia, the main issue faced by micro and small business actors was licensing. The process is complicated, and they also complained about the high costs," said the Minister of Cooperatives and SMEs, AAGN Puspayoga, during a press conference at the Ministry of Home Affairs in Jakarta on Friday (30/1/2015).
In addition to the Minister of Cooperatives and SMEs, the MoU signing also involved the Minister of Home Affairs, Tjahjo Kumolo, and the Minister of Trade, Rahmat Gobel, as well as representatives from BRI and Asppindo. Senior officials from each ministry were also present.
Puspayoga added that the issuance of licenses for micro and small businesses will be delegated to sub-district heads (camat), village heads (lurah), or village chiefs (kepala desa) and will not incur any fees. To support this process, the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs will facilitate mentoring for micro and small businesses both before and after the issuance of business licenses.
"Of course, this must be accompanied by mentoring. Without mentoring, I believe the results will not be optimal," he said.
The Minister of Trade, Rahmat Gobel, stated that in line with the Ministry of Trade's goal to strengthen the domestic market, it is necessary to enhance the role of small business actors. Following the MoU, Rahmat proposed the creation of a concrete strategic plan to be developed collaboratively.
"Starting January 1, 2016, we will begin implementing economic cooperation agreements with ASEAN countries," he said.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Home Affairs, Tjahjo Kumolo, emphasized that the MoU serves as a legal framework to accelerate the welfare of lower-middle-class communities. Therefore, he stressed the importance of immediate implementation rather than just ceremonial gestures.
"The purpose of expediting this MoU is to ensure that the Ministry of Home Affairs, as the backbone of the country's governance, can simplify the licensing process," said the former Secretary-General of the PDI-P party.
Source: http://www.rri.co.id/post/berita/136409/ekonomi