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Indonesia raises budget for free meal programme

Indonesia's Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati has announced an increase in the budget for the Free Nutritious Meal Programme (MBG) to 100 trillion Rp (5.9 billion USD).

Students enjoying free meals at Lengkong 1 elementary school in Tangerang, Indonesia, on Jan 6. (Photo: EPA-EFE)
Students enjoying free meals at Lengkong 1 elementary school in Tangerang, Indonesia, on Jan 6. (Photo: EPA-EFE)

Jakarta (VNA) - Indonesia's Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati has announced an increase in the budget for the Free Nutritious Meal Programme (MBG) to 100 trillion Rp (5.9 billion USD).

Speaking at the 2025 BRI Microfinance Outlook in Tangerang on January 30, Indrawati revealed that the programme's budget will rise from 71 trillion Rp (4.2 billion USD) to 100 trillion Rp, a move aimed at boosting small and medium-sized businesses across the country through a multiplier effect.

She emphasised that the government is focusing on budget efficiency, optimising state spending to ensure effective use of public funds for the benefit of the community, including the MBG programme.

She noted that the MBG programme, which targets 82.9 million beneficiaries, represents a significant long-term investment.

Originally set to be completed by the end of 2025, the programme’s timeline has been reset to September 2025 following a presidential directive./.

VNA
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