In a Presidential Secretariat statement released here on Tuesday, it was noted that the president purchased several products made by women mentored under the Mekaar Madani Funding Program at the Keyongan Kidul Field in Sabdodadi, Bantul, Yogyakarta, on Tuesday.
"I bought pants. How much do these pants cost? I paid Rp15 thousand. What does it mean? This is very cheap and competitive and can compete with other countries," President Jokowi stated.
Jokowi believes that clothing products, such as batik pants, will clock high sales if sold in African markets. The head of state remarked that the products could be exported in large quantities.
"The price is Rp15 thousand, which means it is US$1, and I guarantee it can sell well. Let African people wear batik pants," he remarked.
The pants seller, Sumini Siti Aisyah, said she had joined the Mekaar Madani Funding Program since 2017. At first, she took a loan of Rp2 million to make her products.
"I joined in 2017, (and) the first ceiling (of loan) was Rp2 million, (though) now, it is Rp9 million. Thank God, the business is growing," she remarked.
Aisyah said her business has continued to grow until her overturn of money reached Rp5 million per week, and after deducting the profit by the installments, she said that her net income had reached around Rp 1.5 million.
"The net income is Rp1.5 million after installments, which can help the family's economic conditions," she remarked.
She also expressed hope that the Mekaar program would continue in future despite a change in the government. The program has helped housewives and women in improving their families' economy, she stated.
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Translator: Andi F, Kenzu
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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