Malang, 7 November 2023. Entering its 27th year serving Indonesia, PT XL Axiata Tbk (XL Axiata) continues to strengthen its support for social programs. Among others, this support targets three areas, namely Women MSMEs through the Sisternet program, Islamic boarding schools, and people with disabilities.
For MSMEs, XL Axiata organises training for MSMEs that are started and managed by women. Through Sisternet, this program includes comprehensive training and capital assistance. Malang City, East Java is the first place to hold this program, which will be implemented starting 6 November 2023. With the theme "Supporting the Effectiveness of Capital Utilisation for Women MSMEs", XL Axiata is working with partners namely Huawei, PT Tower Bersama, PT Solusindo Kreasi Pratama, PT Era Bangun Telecomindo, Fiberhome, Mitratel, Alita, Dentsu International Indonesia, PT Pura Barutama as well as Benihbaik Foundation, Bloggercrony Indonesia Community, Peak Performance Indonesia, Resellerun, Amangtiwi Malang, and Mom Digipreneur.
Chief Corporate Affairs of XL Axiata, Marwan O. Baasir said, "We hope that this program can improve the ability of women MSME players in financial literacy, digital literacy, and entrepreneurship in Malang City. With these capabilities, we hope that their businesses can progress and develop, which in turn, in addition to supporting the family economy, can also strengthen the regional economy. It has been proven that MSMEs that are strong in performance are also able to sustain the economy in times of crisis."
Marwan added that there are around 8,000 MSMEs in Malang City. The business sectors they work in are also very diverse. Many of them were started and managed by women. Their business management skills are also still as they are, with a modest level of financial and digital literacy. Therefore, XL Axiata believes that MSMEs in this city need assistance, especially for female MSME players.
For Malang City, XL Axiata targeted 27 female MSME players who will be given training. The selection of participants begins with screening through digital media. This screening is carried out by looking at a number of criteria, such as, among others, being prioritised from the lower middle economic group, the business has been running for at least one year with the type of MSME. In addition, the business methods run are still conventional, and have a commitment to develop MSMEs with the digitisation concept.
Participants register through the Sisternet application, who successfully pass will later attend offline training for 3 days, get a softcopy of the learning module, daily assignments, pre-test, post-test, mentoring and advanced classes. This mentoring or monitoring session will be held for three months. During the session, participants have the opportunity to consult individually with mentors and follow-up sessions that will be adjusted to the evaluation of participants' needs. In addition, mentors will also evaluate the participants' businesses by referring to information on business growth and implementation of proper business management as well as monitoring the utilisation of business capital.
The selected participants who have participated in this program will also receive business capital worth a total of IDR 150 million. Furthermore, they are expected to have the ability to manage and evaluate their business finances. Secondly, participants can develop their products effectively. Third, participants will have the ability to market their products and reach more buyers. Fourth, there will be digital transformation for the participants' businesses.
Donation for Islamic boarding schools and people with disabilities
Furthermore, for programs targeting Islamic boarding schools and communities with disabilities, XL Axiata distributed donations tailored to the needs of each target beneficiary, as well as assistance with Router GDK (Quota Donation Movement) and Data Packages of 20GB for a period of one year. Donations were distributed to 27 Islamic boarding schools (ponpes) and foundations engaged in fostering people with disabilities in Indonesia.
The Islamic boarding schools that received this donation include Imam Ibnu Katsir Islamic boarding school – Pekanbaru, Muflihatul Aliyah Islamic boarding school Lebak, Banten, An-Nidhom Islamic boarding school – Cirebon, Annuqayah Islamic boarding school – Sumenep Regency, Madura, Al Insaniyah Free Islamic boarding school – Surabaya, Dar Ali Al Banjary Islamic boarding school – Banjarmasin, MDIA Bontoala Islamic boarding school - Makassar and Darul Istiqomah Islamic boarding school – Manado.
Meanwhile, several disability development foundations that also received benefits include Yayasan Pembinaan Anak Cacat (YPAC) Padang, Griya Sunnah Inclusive Islamic Boarding School - Bogor, Darul Ashom Deaf Islamic Boarding School – Sleman, and KH. A Dahlan ABK (Children with Special Needs) Islamic Boarding School – Banyuwangi.
"XL Axiata's women and disability empowerment programs are certainly in line with the company's commitment to have a positive impact on society in supporting the acceleration of development in Indonesia. By focusing on areas such as MSMEs and disability inclusion, XL Axiata aims to address various important social issues and contribute to the overall welfare of Indonesian society." Marwan continued.
The donation program for Islamic boarding schools and people with disabilities will be implemented gradually in various provinces, such as North Sumatra, Riau, West Sumatra, South Sumatra, Lampung, Banten, DKI Jakarta, West Java, Central Java, Special Region of Yogyakarta and East Java. Bali, West Nusa Tenggara, South Kalimantan, East Kalimantan, South Sulawesi and North Sulawesi. The company will collaborate with local organisations, government agencies and community leaders to ensure effective implementation and distribution of resources.