Open Businesses Abroad, Restaurants To Minimarkets Win Diaspora Loans BNI

JAKARTA - PT Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) Tbk or BNI continues to strengthen its role as a global national bank by supporting Indonesian diaspora business actors through a loan diaspora financing scheme.

To date, as many as 20 restaurants and cafes as well as four minimarkets in various countries have received financing from BNI, allowing them to expand their business and introduce Indonesian culinary and products to the international market.

BNI Corporate Secretary Okki Rushartomo revealed that the diaspora loan program was part of BNI's efforts to encourage the business growth of Indonesians abroad.

"We want to contribute to providing opportunities for Indonesian diaspora entrepreneurs to achieve a wider market. Until now, there are 20 restaurants and cafes that have received working capital financing through a loan diaspora from BNI Hong Kong, Tokyo, London, New York, Seoul, and Singapore," said Okki, in his statement, Saturday, February 8.

Of the six Foreign Offices, BNI London is listed as the largest distributor of the loan diaspora, especially for the restaurant and cafe business. A total of six restaurants and cafes in the city, such as Waroeng Padang Lapek, Ginger Ruby, and Citra Lestari, have received funding to grow their business.

Meanwhile, BNI Hong Kong and BNI New York each have three customers who run a restaurant and cafe business. Some of them are DGrobak in New York and Lucky Indonesia Restaurant in Hong Kong.

"In Hong Kong, there are two restaurant debtors who have paid off their loans. We hope that more and more Indonesians are interested in opening businesses and creating jobs, especially for Indonesian diaspora abroad," said Okki.

Not only in Europe and America, Indonesia's diaspora business expansion also reaches the Asia Pacific region. BNI Tokyo and BNI Seoul have distributed diaspora loans to three customers, including Cinta Jawa Restaurant and Kopi Kalyan in Tokyo, as well as Warung Mami Papi and Delisha Cafe in Seoul.

In Singapore, BNI also provides financing to two restaurants, namely the Van Java Kitchen in Perth and the Staple Food.

In addition to the culinary sector, Indonesian diaspora businesses are also developing minimarket businesses in Hong Kong, London, and Seoul with the support of financing from BNI. Some of the customers who have received a loan diaspora in this sector are Toko Indonesia Rista and JKM Christy in Hong Kong, and AlbarMart in Seoul.

"BNI's support for Indonesia's diaspora business in various countries not only strengthens their business positions, but also encourages an increase in financial and trade transactions between Indonesia and the international market," said Okki.

In addition to the restaurant and minimarket sectors, BNI Hong Kong also distributed diaspora loans for working capital to Surya Trading. This company has conducted business matching with several Indonesian MSME food and snacks entrepreneurs to expand the market for Indonesian products abroad.

"The success of Surya Trading is one of the success stories that we want to continue to develop so that more Indonesian MSMEs can penetrate the global market," concluded Okki.

With this initiative, BNI further strengthens its role in supporting the economic growth of the Indonesian diaspora and expanding their business networks in the international arena.