Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has asked for the "national summit" to be held later to encourage extension of access to capital for small and medium businesses.

President Yudhoyono has asked that sources of capital for small businesses is not only the government and state-owned banks, Coordinating minister for the economy, Hatta Radjasa, said after a limited cabinet meeting with President Yudhoyono and Vice President Boediono.

"The President told us just now that people in the micro-sector must have sufficent access to micro-capital. Access must not only come from the government and state-owned banks," he said.

He said the head of state hoped private banks could also extend capital to small and medium businesses.

"(We have to work) on how funds from private banks could be involved in UMKM (micro-, small and medium-businesses) programs. Because we believed it would help alleviate poverty and open employment. Therefore in the meeting later the UMKM issue must be discussed by an exclusive commission. We really wish that access for people to get UMKM funds could be expanded.

Hatta said the aim of the national summit later was basically increasing economic development through communications among policy makers.

"We are all aware that the next five-year program must be a success. We want people to participate in it. This is our development so that we wish to expand its ownership. So problems faced by policy makers would be raised at the meeting. Later the government would give a response to the obstacles they are facing," he said.

Boediono, Hatta Radjasa and coordinating minister for security, legal, political affairs Djoko Suyanto had reported the planned national meeting to the president upon his arrival from attending the Asean Summit in Thailand.

Also attending the meeting were finance minister Sri Mulyani, trade minister Mari Elka Pangestu, foreing minister Marty Natalegawa and minister/state secretary Sudi Silalahi.

The meeting was held at Halim Perdanakusuma airport`s VVIP Room from 1.30pm to 2.20pm. President Yudhoyono and his wife First Lady Ani Yudhoyono went home in Cikeas after the meeting.(*)

Editor: B Kunto Wibisono

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