During a working visit to Malang District, East Java, on Saturday, Rismaharini said the business clinic will offer consultation services to PENA beneficiaries to help them develop their businesses.
"Hopefully, they can upgrade, that the PENA program is able to reduce extreme poverty to more than 90 percent," she said.
According to the minister, at the PENA Business Clinic on Watudakon Street, Malang, PENA beneficiaries will be able to learn about financial management, branding, packaging, marketing, licensing, patenting, and other services.
"In addition, licensing not only covers home industry products (PIRT), but also covers (permits) for export," she said.
With the business clinic, it is hoped that PENA beneficiaries, who are mostly housewives, can develop their businesses sustainably, she added.
"The most important thing, and what I am concerned about is: by the time their income starts to increase, it runs out because they buy various kinds of goods that they cannot afford yet," she explained.
She advised that the income generated from business be used for long-term needs, such as for children's education costs, emergency money for medical treatment, and old age savings.
Hence, she said she expects the PENA Business Clinic to provide education related to financial management to participants.
This financial education will be carried out in collaboration with the Financial Services Authority (OJK).
At the opening of the clinic, at least 100 PENA beneficiaries received education related to financial literacy and business development.
The beneficiaries of the PENA program include active social assistance recipients in the 20–40 age group, recipients of the 2022 Integrated Welfare House (RST), and the 2021 Uninhabitable House Rehabilitation (RTLH) programs.
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Translator: Vicki F, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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