TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - PT Bank Mandiri welcomes the proposal for financing of up to Rp500 million for the initial capital of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) that are partners in the free nutritious meal program (MBG). Bank Mandiri Corporate Secretary M. Ashidiq Iswara stated that his party is currently preparing the funding scheme.

"Bank Mandiri has coordinated with the Ministry of MSMEs to design a funding scheme that is in accordance with the needs of this program," Ashidiq told Tempo on Friday, January 31, 2025. Ashihid stated that Bank Mandiri is ready to commit to ensuring that the implementation of the half a billion funding discourse runs optimally.

According to Ashidiq, Bank Mandiri is doing this as part of the state bank association (Himbara) which wants to contribute to driving national economic growth. Therefore, Bank Mandiri also claims to fully support the government's strategic programs including empowering MSMEs. "As an initial step, Bank Mandiri will provide financing facilities while still implementing the principle of banking prudence," said Ashidiq when asked about the loan guarantee that will be given to MSME partners of MBG. He has not detailed further how the funding guarantee scheme will be.

However, Ashidiq said that Bank Mandiri has been actively distributing credit to MSMEs in the food security sector in line with the MBG program. Bank Mandiri believes that access to the right financing can help MSMEs develop more optimally, while supporting national economic resilience by strengthening the people-based business ecosystem.

Previously, Minister of MSMEs Maman Abdurrahman proposed that MSMEs that are MBG partners can obtain financing from banks of up to Rp500 million. If the proposal is accepted, MSMEs appointed by BGN to become partners can receive initial funds to fund the provision of MBG.

Maman said the funding came from banks that work with the government. "On the condition that they have a letter of appointment from the National Nutrition Agency, the bank will provide initial financing of up to Rp500 million to help MSMEs purchase raw materials," said Maman in his official statement, Saturday, January 25, 2025.

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