BGN Deals with Capital Scheme for Free Nutritious Meal Program Partners, Says MSMEs Ministry

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Maman Abdurrahman disclaimed that he was responsible for the capital scheme of up to Rp500 million for MSME partners of the (MBG) program.

Maman passed that responsibility to the National Agency of Nutrition (BGN). "The scheme will certainly be from BGN. We are essentially supporting, so whatever falls under my responsibilities as the minister of MSMEs, we will promote it," said Maman when met at the new office of the Ministry of MSMEs at Smesco Building, Jakarta, on Thursday, February 6, 2024.

Maman mentioned that his responsibility is to provide financing access through the People's Business Credit (KUR) program from banks cooperating with the government. He has received information that the banks are willing to provide loans for operational capital for MBG's MSME partners. Maman revealed that the Deputy of Micro Business has agreed with the bank to facilitate capital for MSMEs up to Rp500 million.

Maman affirmed the significance of this capital for MSME partners even though a budget of Rp71 trillion has been allocated for MBG. According to Maman, this capital is used to anticipate government funding distribution delays. "Of course, the budget will be paid, it may be delayed by a week, or two weeks, so it needs to be bridged for working capital," said Maman, giving the reason.

The Golkar Party politician also mentioned that MSMEs propose borrowing capital from the bank. Therefore, as the government, Maman claimed it is necessary to provide the best service.

Previously, the Head of the National Agency of Nutrition (BGN) Dadan Hindayana responded to the proposal of micro business MSMEs receiving up to Rp500 million in capital to run the nutritious meal program (MBG) kitchens.

According to him, the scheme for financing MBG's MSME partners is not within its responsibility. "That is not the scope of the National Agency of Nutrition, it falls under the Ministry of MSME," said Dadan when met at the Parliamentary Complex after a meeting with Commission IX of the Indonesian House of Representatives, on Monday night, February 3, 2025.

Dadan explained that MSMEs involved in the nutritious meal program are divided into two categories, namely as partners and raw material suppliers. For MSMEs that become partners, they will be selected by BGN after registering on the partner.bgn.go.id website.

Meanwhile, that become raw material suppliers do not need to register, but can directly contact the nutrition fulfillment service units (SPPG) in their respective regions. "So the capital to process, procure raw materials, and so on, falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of MSME, not the National Agency of Nutrition," affirmed Dadan.

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