Prabowo asks Himbara to push gas to boost economy

JAKARTA - President Prabowo Subianto asked state-owned banks that are members of the State-Owned Bank Association or Himbara to play a bigger role in driving the national economy.

The instruction was conveyed by Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto after meeting Prabowo at the Presidential Palace Complex, Thursday, June 18.

Airlangga said Prabowo emphasized the importance of the role of Himbara after the government prepared a number of policies, including one-stop exports and the placement of foreign exchange from exports through Himbara.

"With policies such as one-door exports, then the foreign exchange from exports that are all through Himbara, Himbara has a big role to play in boosting the national economy," said Airlangga.

According to Airlangga, the directive was also conveyed to the board of directors and commissioners of Himbara. The government wants state banks not only to pursue business performance, but also to carry out their function as development agents.

"The government hopes that Himbara can really carry out its role as an agent of development," he said.

The issue of Himbara is important because the government is looking for a financing machine that can keep credit flowing. Moreover, the business world is starting to pay attention to the direction of credit interest after the Bank Indonesia benchmark interest rate rose.

When asked whether the President asked Himbara to hold off on raising credit interest rates, Airlangga did not answer in detail. He only emphasized the government's hope that credit would continue.

"Yes, of course, the hope is that in the future the credit will continue to flow," said Airlangga.

He also hopes that Himbara will not raise credit interest rates too quickly after the BI Rate increase.

"It is hoped that Himbara will not be too quick to raise it," he said.