The pandemic situation (has) greatly affected the income of our partners, so this low-interest loan facility will help ease their financial burden
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Micro, small, and medium enterprises partnering with Gojek's food delivery platform GoFood can now avail low-interest loans under the Digital Credit Program for MSMEs (DigiKU) to maintain operations amid the pandemic.

The online ride-hailing and on-demand services platform has officially partnered with the State-Owned Banks Association (Himbara) for the loan program.



DigiKU is a joint movement between the government, Himbara, and digital ecosystem actors, and is a part of the national push for ‘Proudly Made in Indonesia’.



Gojek is collaborating with Bank BRI, which is a part of Himbara, to provide low-interest loans to the MSME partners, Gojek’s chief of public policy and government relations, Shinto Nugroho, said in a statement issued on Tuesday in Jakarta.



"The pandemic situation (has) greatly affected the income of our partners, so this low-interest loan facility will help ease their financial burden. Especially for MSMEs, the facilities provided are expected to be able to (help them) maintain business turnover while capturing new opportunities. We really appreciate the mutual cooperation efforts of Bank BRI and the Government for providing loan facilities specifically designed for our MSME partners so they can progress together with the Gojek ecosystem,” Shinto said.



As a partner in the DigiKU program, Gojek will also provide information to Himbara and the government to support MSMEs with appropriate loans, bearing in mind that one of the challenges faced in lending to MSMEs is the lack of transactional data or guarantees on the health of the businesses and their assets.



Under the mutual assistance scheme of the DigiKU program, Gojek is helping Himbara identify MSMEs in need of funding assistance.



Gojek's efforts to help MSMEs amid the COVID-19 pandemic have involved comprehensive technology and non-technology solutions.



"The solutions that Gojek offers, such as coaching for efficient business management, entrepreneurship training, and ongoing promotion will help MSMEs to keep moving. With a healthy business turnover, MSME partners can obtain various opportunities to get a stimulus from Himbara and the government, including DigiKU," Shinto said.



Earlier, Gojek and Bank BRI had announced that the low-interest loan program has entered its initial phase with Bank BRI offering the loan facility to a number of GoRide and GoCar partners, domiciled in the Greater Jakarta area, who have passed a pre-screening process.



GoFood business partners meeting the requirements set by Bank BRI can avail loans of up to Rs20 million with a 24-month tenure, with reduced payment obligations in the first three months.



GoRide and GoCar driver partners are being offered loans of Rs5 million for a tenure of 24 months. The loan facility also frees the driver partners from payment obligations for the first three months



Gojek’s participation in the DigiKU program, which was launched by the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment with Himbara, is one of the ways in which the startup is contributing to calls for ‘Proudly Made in Indonesia’. (INE)

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Translator: Juwita TR, Azis K
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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