BKPM building. Merdeka.com/Imam Buhori
The duration of the corona pandemic has not diminished the enthusiasm of micro entrepreneurs to do business. BKPM data shows that during September it managed to break the record for achieving a micro Business Identification Number (NIB) application throughout 2020.
The number of NIB applications for micro enterprises was recorded at 170,152, or the equivalent of 86 percent of the 197,322 NIBs issued through the Online Single Submission (OSS) system.
Previously, in August there was also a surge in applications for NIB for micro businesses, reaching 104,240 NIB, an increase of 114 percent compared to the previous month. The total NIB reached 82 percent of the total submissions of 126,878 NIB in August 2020.
BKPM spokesperson, Tina Talisa, conveyed that the rapid application of NIB for micro-scale entrepreneurs during this pandemic was a form of Indonesia's economic strength, which 60 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was supported by Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
"MSMEs contribute greatly to economic growth in Indonesia. And according to the mandate given by the President, BKPM continues to ensure to serve MSMEs. Through the Job Creation Law (UU CK), the state provides protection and strengthening of increasingly solid MSMEs," said Tina. in Jakarta , Monday (19/10).
At the beginning of the pandemic, the number of NIBs for micro-scale businesses decreased for 3 consecutive months, from 36,337 NIB in March 2020 to 28,435 NIB in April 2020 and touched the lowest figure in May 2020 with only 15,845 NIB issued by BKPM. However, the micro sector has proved highly resilient to the pandemic.
This is evidenced by the jump in the NIB in the micro sector in June 2020 which reached 35,283 NIB, an increase of 123 percent from the previous month. This figure continues to increase every month until it reaches almost 200,000 NIB in September.
Based on data from the BKPM Operations and Escort Center (KOPI) Center, from January to September 2020, 792,044 NIBs have been issued. Of the total NIB, the micro sector reached 70 percent or 512,246 NIB.
Harwanto Bimo Pratomo, Journalist