70 Percent Of ASEAN Residents Don't Have A Bank Account

Deputy Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Rosan Roeslani (Photo of youtube screenshots)

JAKARTA - Deputy Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Rosan Perkasa Roeslani revealed that countries in Southeast Asia (ASEAN) face the challenges of financial inclusiveness. This is because more than 70 percent of its citizens do not have bank accounts (unbanked).

Furthermore, Rosan also said, around 39 million of the 70 million micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) experience a lack of funding which is estimated at 300 billion US dollars per year.

As is known, ASEAN is recorded as having as many as 650 million people and has 70 million MSME actors.

More than 70 percent of the population (ASEAN) does not have a bank account. In addition, around 39 million of the 70 million MSME exponents lack large funding of up to 300 billion US dollars per year," said on the AIPF agenda, at the Mulia Hotel, Jakarta, Wednesday, September 6.

In the context of financial inclusiveness, Rosan said, Indonesia sees the emergence of digital financial services as able to bridge the current financial gap. Especially, for those who do not have a bank account and experience limited access to finance.

"This service plays an important role in encouraging financial inclusiveness, the basis for sustainable and inclusive economic growth," he said.

Rosan said, Indonesia's digital financial initiative in the ASEAN region has contributed to accelerating financial inclusion in the region over the last few years. In the period 2011 to 2022, FinTech players in Indonesia have increased six times from around 51 to more than 300 active prayers.

Meanwhile, 33 percent of the population chose the electronic wallet as the default payment method in 2021. Placing Indonesia as one of the most advanced economies in ASEAN," he said.