Bank Jakarta Prepares Four Strategies to Create an Inclusive and Connected Jakarta

JAKARTA - Bank Jakarta President Director, Agus H. Widodo emphasized the role of Bank Jakarta as a link between various elements of urban development through an inclusive and sustainable financial system.

He conveyed this during the Urban Talks BUMD: City Catalyst, Development Accelerator which is part of the Jakarta Future Festival 2026 series at Taman Ismail Marzuki, Cikini, Menteng, Central Jakarta, Friday, June 5.

According to Agus, the picture of the future Jakarta is not only measured by the existence of skyscrapers, modern transportation networks, or increasingly developed artificial intelligence technology. More than that, the future city must be able to build connectivity between stakeholders in it.

"Jakarta does not lack buildings, roads, or technology. What still needs to be strengthened is the connection between residents and services, MSMEs with markets, investors with opportunities, and the government with the community," said Agus.

He explained, if MRT Jakarta plays a role as a Mobility Operating System, while Transjakarta becomes a public mobility platform and PAM Jaya manages the water service system, then Bank Jakarta wants to become a Financial Operating System for Jakarta.

In realizing this vision, Bank Jakarta carries out four main strategies. First, financial inclusion by ensuring that all residents of Jakarta can easily access formal financial services, safely, and digitally.

"The fact is that there are still many residents of Jakarta who have not entered the formal financial system. This is a big job that we have to complete," he said.

The second strategy is to encourage the growth of MSMEs. Agus emphasized that support for business actors is not enough just through the distribution of credit, but also by helping them enter the digital ecosystem, expanding market access, and strengthening the supply chain. "MSMEs not only need loans, but also need opportunities," he said.

Furthermore, Bank Jakarta will strengthen the housing inclusion program or access to housing financing. According to Agus, one of the biggest challenges for young generations in Jakarta today is to have affordable housing.

"Access to home financing must be part of the city's strategy because many young people have difficulty reaching the price of houses in Jakarta," he said.

The fourth strategy is investment enablement by building investor confidence to invest capital in Jakarta. Agus assessed that a global city could not be built solely relying on the APBD, but required strong and sustainable investment.

"The role of Bank Jakarta is not only to collect funds and channel credit, but to become a link between residents, MSMEs, governments, and investors in one city ecosystem," he said.

Agus also emphasized the importance of the no one left behind principle in every digital transformation and city development process. According to him, modernization and technological progress must be able to expand opportunities for all citizens, including small business actors, street vendors, to young families who are struggling to have their first home.

"Technology without inclusion will only create an ever-widening gap. Therefore, digital transformation must benefit those who have been left behind," he said.

He added that the role of Regional Owned Enterprises (BUMD) has now evolved from merely running a business to being a driver of a development ecosystem that is able to expand opportunities for the community.

"The measure of Jakarta's success is not how tall the buildings stand, but how many dreams can be realized by its citizens. If the MRT connects city points, then Bank Jakarta will connect life opportunities," said Agus.

Through this vision, Bank Jakarta hopes to contribute to realizing Jakarta as a resilient, smart, globally competitive city, while providing equal opportunities for all its citizens.