U – The Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia held a book review event “SME Financing Batch XVI” on Thursday (24/8) morning at the M. Yusuf Abubakar Auditorium, Unram.

This event aims to explore and further examine the concept of UMKM development as described by the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. (H.C.) Ir. Airlangga Hartarto, M.B.A., M.M.T., I.P.U., in his book entitled “Pembiayaan UMKM”.

In his remarks, Unram’s vice rector for Planning, Cooperation and Information Systems (WR IV) Prof. Akmaluddin, S.T., M.Sc.(Eng.), Ph.D. expressed his enthusiasm in organizing this book review.

“On this occasion I hope that with the banking leadership here and the book review this morning students can broaden their horizons on how to get a job quickly. Even in the future you will not only look for work, but can create jobs,” said Prof. Akmaluddin.

In addition, the vice rector IV Unram also expressed his gratitude to the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia for initiating this book review activity and sharing knowledge about UMKM development. He hopes that the students who attend can absorb the knowledge which provided and apply it in entrepreneurship.

Furthermore, the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. (H.C.) Ir. Airlangga Hartarto, M.B.A., M.M.T., I.P.U. said that the entire series of book reviews is aimed at being able to encourage the development of MSMEs which are an important pillar of Indonesia’s economic development.

UMKM development is something that must be maintained to encourage Indonesia’s economic growth. UMKM also need to continue to be encouraged with various policies and programs that are expected to revive and to encourage the sector to reach global standards, so that they can open access to international markets.

The Coordinating Minister for the Economy explained that with the dissemination of the book “Pembiayaan UMKM”, the government saw that one of the strategies for developing UMKM upgrades, that is increasing access to financing.

“I hope that this disseminated book can provide additional knowledge for lecturers, students, and policy makers in monitoring and evaluating various government programs that are specifically included in the UMKM ecosystem,” he said.

There are several frameworks discussed in the book “Pembiayaan UMKM”, including the Role of UMKM in the Economy, UMKM Resilience to Crisis, UMKMFinancing, Sharia Financing for UMKM, and UMKM Financing during the Covid-19 Period.

The book study activity “Pembiayaan UMK.” was also accompanied by a ceremony of symbolically handing over the books and the placards by the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia to the Unram academic community. The handover procession was carried out by Plt. Deputy for Coordination of Macroeconomics and Finance, Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, Dr. Ferry Irawan and received by the Vice Rector IV, Prof. Akmaluddin, S.T., M.Sc.(Eng.), Ph.D.

The event continued with a panel discussion session by three speakers, including Plt. Deputy for Coordination of Macroeconomics and Finance, Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, Dr. Ferry Irawan, S.E., M.S.E.; Prof. Dr. H. Mansur Afifi, Professor of FEB Unram; and Gede Edy Prasetya, S.E., M.M., Assistant Deputy for Capital Markets and Financial Institutions at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs. This discussion was guided by Devi Setyorini as a Young Expert Policy Analyst, the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs.