<![CDATA[This study investigates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on MSMEs and how Government intervention affects their capacity to survive. Through a survey of 368 respondents, namely debtors/beneficiaries, aid distributors, policymakers, and supervisors, this case study finds that the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in business delays. The finding means that the government assistance schemes are the key to business continuity for MSMEs during the COVID-19 pandemic. With the help from the Government, the business actors in the sample of this study can maintain their business. Although some MSMEs reduced the number of workers employed, some MSMEs still survived, even increased their workers and business turnover. While the research identifies key success factors of Government programs, there are also some challenges in their implementation. This study recommends that the Government continues giving assistance programs for MSMEs. In addition, the Government should relax requirements while focusing on new beneficiaries. Building an integrated MSME database is also necessary, and in the future, the Government must integrate the assistance program with financial literacy and innovation programs. The policy implication of this research is that the future programs of government poverty alleviation need to focus on MSMEs.]]>
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