Small Business See New Life

The government still needs to provide aid to MSMEs to guarantee their survival. With the future still uncertain, these businesses deserve the support.

KOMPAS/EMANUEL EDI SAPUTRA

A gift shop area in Pontianak City, West Kalimantan, Friday (22/4/2022)

Small and medium enterprises have truly faced tough times as they struggled to survive during the pandemic. The Lebaran holiday has given them a new lease on life.

The government’s decision to allow mudik (exodus) for Idul Fitri 1443 H, supported by growing control over Covid-19, has helped recover the incomes of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as well as the regional communities that manage tourist villages. Some have even described their current condition as resembling pre-pandemic conditions (Kompas, 6/5/2022).

Also read:

> Lebaran Invigorates Small Businesses and Local Tourism

> Lebaran Travelers Boost Regional Economies

This newspaper has also reported the delight of MSME entrepreneurs who have reeled in profits during the Lebaran mudik season. They say that visitor numbers are rising and their sales are booming. Joy and smiles are apparent on their faces.

Around 85 million people traveled to their hometowns this year, likely bringing with them considerable amounts of money to spend on various needs, such as transportation, accommodation, dining out, sightseeing and souvenirs. The phenomenon has approached conditions similar to before the pandemic. As a result, this year’s Lebaran holiday has offered some breathing room for a variety of various MSME entrepreneurs.

KOMPAS/NIKSON SINAGA

A gift shop in Medan City, North Sumatra, Friday (6/5/2022), was packed with mudik travelers ahead of the peak of the return flow. Typical souvenirs such as bika Ambon, lapis legit, sponge rolls, to passion fruit syrup, sold out to be brought to overseas cities..

Its direct impact is noticeable in the different MSMEs that have been reinvigorated. According to entrepreneurs, visitor numbers increased drastically to tourist spots, restaurants, handicraft shops and other places. Regional economies, which have long been sluggish, are gradually being revitalized and set in motion.

We certainly hope that the increased incomes they are enjoying will be used to improve their businesses, which were adversely impacted by the pandemic, provide enough earnings to pay employees and expand their businesses while waiting for the situation to return to normal. They need to build a strong financial base because the situation may again change in the future from both the lingering pandemic and global shifts that might impact them.

Also read:

> Idul Fitri Stengthens Social Cohesion

MSMEs have long been the backbone during a crisis. They have also assumed the function of an economic cushion in a number of regions over the course of the pandemic. They have kept going amid the unfavorable conditions. They are also still expected to bolster economic activities at the micro level amid the prevailing uncertainties.

For this reason, the government should be grateful to them. The government still needs to provide aid to MSMEs to guarantee their survival. Unrestricted financial assistance, licensing facilities, dealing with hooliganism and so forth are the kinds of government support that MSME entrepreneurs have long been awaiting. With the future still uncertain, these businesses deserve the support.

This article was translated by Aris Prawira.