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REGARDING the National Economic Recovery (PEN) fund, which is expected to assist creative economy actors in maintaining employment, it is hoped that it will be distributed in the near future.
According to the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno during a virtual Weekly Press Briefing, Monday (7/26), said the IDR2.4 trillion budget ceiling will be used through the Proud Traveling in Indonesia (BBWI) program, Proud Made in Indonesia (BBI), CHSE Certification for Tourism Business, Film PEN, Hotel Accommodation Support for Health Workers, and Government Assistance for Tourism Business (BPUP).
“Currently, according to survey results, COVID-19 has an impact of more than 80% for creative economy actors, some of which reduce the number of workers by Termination of Work (PHK), being laid off, and reducing working hours. This must be assisted with PEN funds, but it must be ensured that it is right on target, has the right benefits, and is on time,” he said.
Sandiaga explained that the Ministry of Tourism is currently adjusting and finalizing the Tourism Grant scheme to become a BPUP. The proposed BPUP 2021 database is obtained from Capital Investment Coordinating Board (BPKM) data related to companies in the tourism sector registered in the Online Single Submission (OSS) and based on data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) on the number of workers.
“For the current BIP, the stages are on progress, they are entering the curation of proposals. I pray that it will be finished and distributed soon,” he said.
Spice Up The World
On the same occasion, Minister Sandiaga Uno explained that the target of ‘Indonesia Spice Up The World’ until 2024 was to increase the export value of spices and herbs to US$2 billion. In addition, there are also 4,000 Indonesian restaurants abroad.
“As the first step of the Indonesia Spice Up The World program, we are coordinating with the Indonesian Embassy and the Indonesian Consulate General in New York. Strengthening networks through meetings with culinary activists, spice importers, and non-Indonesian restaurant entrepreneurs in New York to take an active role in enlivening the program and encouraging the opening of new Indonesian culinary-based restaurants in New York,” he stated.
As is known, ‘Spice Up The World’ which was held in a hybrid manner, was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Tourism who are currently still in New York to carry out various coordination and benchmarking.
“From July 21-26 2021, they will carry out a number of agendas such as the Global Dangdut Discussion with the Diaspora, the Visit US Tour Operator Association to discuss cooperation in tourism & MICE packages to Indonesia, visits and benchmarking to a number of Indonesian restaurants such as Wayan Resto 4 (Manhattan), Awang Resto, (Queens), Sky Cafe (Queens), Asian Taste (Queens), offline discussions with culinary business players at the Indonesian Consulate, Discussions with the Diaspora of Creative Economy players in the US, and various other agendas,” he added.
Myself, he continued, attended and virtually monitored some of the discussion agendas and meetings. Even though I have to stay up late because of the time difference between Indonesia and America, I am still enthusiastic and optimistic that this program can provide great benefits and create the widest possible employment opportunities. [traveltext.id/photo special]
