JAYAPURA – The Papua Bureau of Procurement of Goods and Services, said local business actors have opportunities through the free nutritious meal program (MBG) and e-catalogue-based procurement.

"Most of the budget that has been cut is indeed for infrastructure. However, we can shift our focus to the free nutritious meal program and community economic empowerment," said the Head of the Papua Goods and Services Procurement Bureau, Debora Salosa.

Debora also encouraged Indigenous Papuan business actors (OAP) to be more active in the e-catalogue system. According to her, with the involvement of OAP business actors, local economic growth continues even though the budget is limited.

She also hopes that the central government will support policies that accommodate the role of Papuan entrepreneurs in this procurement scheme.

"This step is important so that the impact of budget cuts does not worsen regional economic conditions," said Debora.

Currently, her party is still waiting for the central government's policy related to the empowerment of OAP business actors. However, Debora emphasized that the procurement scheme through e-catalogs remains the main opportunity for Papuan entrepreneurs. ***