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INDONESIA’S Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno said, currently his party has received economic recovery funds (PEN) for the tourism sector amounting to IDR2.4 trillion. It is ensured that the funds will be immediately distributed to the tourism sector actors affected by COVID-19.
“Regarding the PEN assistance, a budget ceiling of IDR2.4 trillion has been provided, and (it will be distributed) after we coordinate and take several consolidation steps as well as the president’s directive to simplify the process,” he said, in the Weekly Press Briefing, Monday (2/02). 8).
Sandiaga said the President had instructed to speed up the distribution of the aid funds and not to be stopped by the bureaucracy. The President advised that the implementation instructions should not be carried out, in fact it will further complicate and result in delays in this program, but should simplify it.
According to him, the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy is currently coordinating with the COVID-19 Handling Committee and National Economic Recovery (KPC-PEN) for the distribution of the funds. I hope that the distribution of tourism aid funds is right on target, on the right benefits, and on time.
“For this stage, there are several distribution programs, including Proud Traveling in Indonesia (BBWI), Proud Made in Indonesia (BBI), Cleanliness, Healthy, Safety, Environmental Sustainability (CHSE) certification, national economic recovery (PEN) for the film subsector, hotel accommodation support for health workers, as well as Government Assistance for Government Business (BPUP),” he remarked.
Sandiaga explained that currently the support for special hotel accommodations for health workers continues, and the letter has now been submitted to KPC PEN.
“Especially for health workers, the letter has now been submitted to KPC PEN and in the next stage the amount is IDR300 billion, we have submitted it and we are waiting for the realization from our friends at KPC PEN. But this commitment can be prioritized for our brothers on the front line, namely health workers,” he elaborated.
Sandiaga added that the PEN fund assistance for the tourism sector last year was carried out with the concept of grant funds. However, with the input of KCP PEN, the funds are directed to be given to businesses, especially in the tourism sector so that there are no layoffs for employees.
“On the input of friends at PEN, they directed us to provide assistance to businesses, so as not to terminate the employment relationship of employees. So, it is not only given to the hotel and restaurant sector, but there must be an alignment with the data obtained from the heads of offices, both provincial and district/city,” he concluded. [traveltext.id]
