Jayapura, Papua (ANTARA) - The Papua administration has expressed the hope that the PON National Games would serve as an impetus for the growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Indonesia's easternmost province.
"The sporting event must be a momentum for Papua's small and medium entrepreneurs to keep growing and get more exposed," assistant for Papua's economic and public prosperity affairs, Muhammad Musa'ad, said.
Local SMEs would gain visibility and attract potential business partners following the PON National Games, he observed in a statement that ANTARA received here on Wednesday.
"We hope that our SMEs continue to develop," he said and urged Papua's banking sector to keep empowering local SMEs.
In April last year, President Joko Widodo had highlighted the need for providing working capital assistance to 23 million micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Indonesia in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Musa'ad noted.
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"Some 23 million MSMEs have never received funding from financial institutions or the banking system. Hence, the 23 million MSMEs must be able to avail programs to expand work program financing," he said.
Meanwhile, the government has hinted it is pushing ahead with the convening of Papua's 2021 PON National Games and adopting a bubble system for the safety of competing teams amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Papua's 2021 PON National Games are scheduled to take place from October 2 to October 15 this year, while the National Para Games (Peparnas) will be held from November 2 to November 15.
Papua's PON National Games, which will feature 37 events, are scheduled to be held in Jayapura City and the districts of Jayapura, Mimika, and Merauke. At least 6,400 athletes and 3,500 officials from 34 provinces across Indonesia are expected to participate in the games.
At least 1,935 athletes are scheduled to participate in the National Para Games, which will feature 12 events. The conduct of the games, which will be held in Jayapura City and Jayapura district, will involve 740 officials.
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