VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

President Joko Widodo provided working capital assistance, and encouraged micro and small businesses in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara, to work harder and minimize the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

While wearing a face shield in Labuan Bajo, Thursday, President Jokowi asked micro and small entrepreneurs not to loosen up their enthusiasm.

"Every time I come to town, I gather with all small businesses, micro-businesses like today. The situation is the same, but we can't complain, we can't give up, we have to keep our spirits up, lest our morale gets slack," the President said.

The President distributed capital assistance of Rp 2.4 million to each of the micro and small business actors. The President understands that the COVID-19 pandemic is making things even more difficult not only for the micro and small business sector but also for the medium and large business sectors are also facing pressure. 

"All countries, 215 countries are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, everything is in a difficult position," he said.

President Jokowi hopes that business people can make the COVID-19 pandemic a momentum to work harder. He wants no businesses to close due to the pandemic. The capital assistance could increase their capital capacity and expand their business.

"Do not use it to buy a cell phone. Be careful, this is the working capital assistance, for working capital, not for consumptive things to buy cell phones or motorbike," the President said.

He said it was possible that in early 2021, the government would have vaccinated the target recipients of the vaccine.

"Congratulations on working hard, hopefully at the beginning of next year, we will start vaccinating until things return to normal," the Head of State said. (Antaranews)