Bintan, Riau Islands- Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration (PDTT) Minister Abdul Halim Iskandar has asked village-owned enterprises (BUMDes) and joint village-owned enterprises (BUMDesma) to increase their role in supporting the businesses owned by village residents.

“BUMDes and BUMDesma should not become new competitors for businesses owned by village residents, instead they must become consolidators for the businesses of village residents,” he said at a workshop with BUMDes owners here on Wednesday.

At the workshop entitled “Improving Village Economy through BUMDes,” he emphasized that all economic activities of BUMDes must support village residents’ businesses.

In addition, BUMDes and BUMDesma must also play a significant role in saving the cultural assets of villages.

“BUMDes must play a big role in saving the cultural assets of villages, which have been passed down from generation to generation,” Iskandar said.

As of January 30, 2023, as many as 51,971 BUMDes and BUMDesma have registered for legal entity certification, he informed. Meanwhile, 5,300 Community Empowerment National Program-Financial Management Units (UPK-PNPM) have transformed into BUMDesma so far.

He added that the presence of BUMDes and BUMDesma has been strengthened with the operation of the business identification number (NIB) submission by the Ministry of Investment or the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM).

Thus, BUMDes and BUMDesma can now register to get NIBs to make it easier for them to get investors because of their existence and legality being recognized constitutionally.

“In BUMDes’ journey from 2004 until now, they have only really existed as legal entities ever since the birth of the Job Creation Law,” he said.

At Wednesday’s event, the minister also distributed NIBs to several BUMDes and BUMDesma that have been registered with the BKPM.

Source: Antara News