Thursday, April 17, 2008
Yudhoyono Praises National Banks` Role in Improving People’s Welfare
Source: Antara News

Purworejo, Central Java (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono praised national banks for their role in improving the people’s standard of living through the people’s business credit (KUR) scheme.

The national banks were able to provide credits to the people without collateral because the government was underwriting the scheme, the president said here on Thursday after witnessing the symbolic presentation of KURs to nearly 3,000 rural people in Purworejo district.

He said the credits were meant to help rural people to establish or run small businesses.

Meanwhile, Coordinating Minister for the People’s Welfare Aburizal Bakrie said the KUR program was designed to facilitate the people to obtain loans from national banks.

KURs were intended to benefit farmers, fishermen, micro and small-scale businessmen, the minister said.

On the occasion, BRI President Director Sofyan Basyir symbolically handed KURs worth Rp14 billion to 2,667 debtors, Bank Mandiri President Director Agus Martowardojo Rp12.1 billion to 228 debtors, BNI President Director Gatot Suwondo Rp4.5 billion to 52 debtors and Bukopin President Director Glenn Glenardi Rp1.46 billion to 283 debtors.

In addition to the business credits, local farmers in Purworejo also received agricultural tools.

The Solidarity and Care Foundation presented 25 hand tractors to the chairman of the Giri Mulya farmers` association of Boro Kulon village, Banyu Urip sub district.

Another non-governmental organization called the United Indonesian Movement Community handed two thrashers and a number of agricultural tools to the Gemah Ripah farmers` association of Grabag village.

President Yudhoyono held a dialog with local farmers and small-scale businessmen before concluding his visit.

During the event, Yudhoyono was accompanied by First lady Ani Yudhoyono, Minister/State Secretary Hatta Rajasa, Agriculture Minister Anton Apriyantono, Public Works Minister Djoko Kirmanto, Transmigration and Manpower Minister Erman S, Cabinet Secretary Sudi Silalahi and State Minister of Cooperatives and Small-and-Medium Scale Businesses Suryadhama Ali.