VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Social Affairs Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita has minced no words in his pledge to offering working capital to those graduating from the Vocational Rehabilitation Agency for the Disabled looking to build their businesses.

"I am planning to formulate a policy under which we will furnish working capital to people, who graduated (from training) and looking to start their own business," Kartasasmita remarked following an inspection of the Vocational Rehabilitation Agency for the Disabled (BBRVPD) in Cibinong, West Java, on Wednesday.

Kartasasmita has made assurance that working capital, totaling Rp5 million, will be offered for each unit of productive business and Rp20 million per group for group business.

"The fund will not essentially be derived from the state budget. We are keen to witness the emergence of new entrepreneurs here, and I believe that you can compete," he affirmed.

Kartasasmita, in the company of Director General of Social Rehabilitation Edi Suharto, Secretary General of the Social Affairs Ministry Hartono Laras, and other ministry's officials, witnessed up-close the training facility for the disabled in Cibinong.

The facility offers a six-month training for some 120 disabled individuals in varied areas, including sewing, computer, graphic design and printing, electronics, metal works, and automotive. It also reached and offered training to 250 disabled individuals outside the facility.

Kartasasmita remarked that the training will hone the skill sets of people with disabilities to encourage them to become self-reliant. In 2019, the ministry has offered assistance to 22,500 disabled individuals to develop their skills. (ant)