President Summons Ministers to Discuss Small, Medium Businesses

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - President Joko Widodo has summoned Coordinating Minister for Economy Darmin Nasution, State Enterprises Minister Rini Soemarno, and Vice Finance Minister Mardiasmo to discuss micro, small, and medium businesses.

The head of state also invited President Director of state oil and gas company Pertamina Dwi Sucipto and President Director of state electricity company PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) Sofyan Basir to the meeting.

"The president has called to undertake a special effort to create projects for micro, small, and medium businesses," Darmin stated following a meeting with the president at the Merdeka Palace here on Monday.

Darmin noted that the development of micro and mini hydro power plants as well as transmission projects may involve small and medium businesses.

"The president also urged Pertamina to immediately identify activities that small and medium businesses undertakings can carry out," he noted.

The chief economic minister remarked that the government will soon issue a regulation, which will properly identify projects at Pertamina and PLN that can involve small and medium businesses.

"In the near future, activities will be conducted to utilize local materials. Small and medium businesses will create jobs," he pointed out.

The president has expressed hope that the regulation will be issued soon, Darmin added.(WDY)