We must not complain, we must not give up; we have to remain vigorous, and not lose our working spiritJakarta (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo distributed working capital aid to micro, small, and medium scale entrepreneurs (MSMEs) in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara, on Thursday and urged them to work hard to mitigate the impact of COVID-19.
During his visit, President Widodo also asked MSMEs to not lose their working spirit.
"Every time I visit a city, I gather micro- and small-scale entrepreneurs as we have done now. The situation is similar (everywhere), but we must not complain, we must not give up; we have to remain vigorous, and not lose our working spirit," he said.
Wearing a face shield, the President distributed working capital aid of Rp2.4 million to each micro- and small-scale business operator.
He said the pandemic has created difficulties for all people, not only small enterprises, but also medium and big enterprises.
"All countries, 215 countries, are now in the grip of the COVID-19 pandemic. All of us are in a difficult position," he added.
He expressed the hope that the pandemic would induce business operators to work harder.
Furthermore, he asked MSMEs to use the aid wisely to increase their working capital and expand their business.
"Do not use it to buy a cellular phone. Be careful, this is working capital, (it is) not (meant) for consumptive things such as a cellular phone or motorcycle," Jokowi said.
The government is expected to start coronavirus immunization in early 2021, he informed.
“Hopefully, early next year, we can start vaccinations and the situation can return to normal," the President remarked.(INE)
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EDITED BY INE
Translator: Indra Arief P, Sri Haryati
Editor: Suharto
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