OJK Supports Financial Access Expansion In North Sulawesi Via TPAKD Optimization

Illustration (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The Financial Services Authority (OJK) continues to make breakthroughs to expand public financial access in North Sulawesi by optimizing the work of the Regional Financial Access Acceleration Team (TPAKD).

Chairman of the OJK Audit Council Sophia Wattimena said that the existence of TPAKD is expected to contribute to economic growth, as well as create better social and economic conditions.

"TPAKD is a coordination forum between agencies and stakeholders aimed at increasing the expansion of public financial access through empowerment of MSMEs, regional economic development, and strengthening the priority economic sector," he said in a written statement quoted on Friday, September 30.

According to Sophia, OJK since June 2021 has issued the Commercial Model of the Agricultural Priority Sector Credit/Financing Scheme (K/PSP) which aims to be a reference for TPAKD whose territory has superior potential.

"This can help formulate a value chain financing program for the ecosystem-based agricultural sector," he said.

In addition, he also mentioned that to encourage a culture of saving from an early age, TPAKD implemented the One Account One Student Program (KEJAR) as one of the flagship programs.

"This is a national program from the National Financial Council Inclusive (DNKI)," he said.

On the same occasion, North Sulawesi Governor Olly Dondokambey expressed his appreciation for the OJK initiative through TPAKD in supporting increased access to finance, especially financing for MSME actors.

Financial access is an important requirement in encouraging regional economic growth. Access to financial products and services such as savings, credit, insurance, pension funds and payment facilities will be very helpful, especially for marginalized and low-income groups to make efforts to get out of poverty and increase income," he said.

For information, currently, 440 TPAKD have been formed consisting of 34 TPAKD at the provincial level and 406 TPAKD at the district/city level.

Meanwhile, TPAKD in North Sulawesi consists of 1 TPAKD Provincial and 15 TPAKD regencies/cities and is 1 in 18 TPAKD that have carried out complete formations at the provincial, district and city levels.