TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Trade Ministry is currently making efforts to boost small and medium enterprises (SME) as the driving force of the country's economy amid the global economic slowdown.

"SMEs can be the driving force of the national economy. I believed that there are opportunities beyond obstacles," Srie Agustina, the director general of domestic trade at the Trade Ministry, said in a press release received by Tempo on Thursday, September 10, 2015.

According to Srie, SMEs have managed to survive and become the safety net for the economy despite Indonesia's financial crisis that occurred in 1998 and 2008. Srie said that the Trade Ministry would provide assistance SMEs by introducing sellers to potential buyers in various events, in addition to administrative facilities.

Srie added that the Trade Ministry, in collaboration with the Home Affairs Ministry, the Cooperative and SME Minstry and PT Bank Indonesia, would provide SMEs with business license. With such business license, access to loans for SMEs would be easier.

Srie added that the Trade Ministry would improve SMEs' access to markets and promotions by building partnerships with modern retailers, trading forums, online shops and domestic expos. The Trade Ministry, Srie revealed, crafted a program to facilitate micro and small businesses with tools and equipment to run their business.

URSULA FLORENE