Open Branches In Sydney, BNI Expands Banking Service Reach

Deputy President Commissioner of BNI, Pahala Mansury. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - PT Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) Tbk or BNI is expanding the reach of banking services globally by inaugurating a representative office in Sydney, Australia.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia Pahala Mansury, in Jakarta, Thursday, September 5, said the presence of the BNI representative office in Sydney would facilitate increased trade between Indonesia and Australia.

"Moreover, currently Indonesia and Australia are comprehensive strategic partners, both in the trade and investment sectors, especially in strategic sectors," said Pahala, quoted from Antara.

Pahala, who also serves as Deputy President Commissioner of BNI, believes that BNI's presence in Sydney will further strengthen economic relations between Indonesia and Australia.

"We are grateful to the OJK for playing a role in strengthening relations between Indonesia and Australia, especially in the financial sector. This is also inseparable from the role of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Investment," he also said.

BNI President Director Royke Tumilaar said BNI does have an internationalization plan aimed at expanding the reach of banking services and strengthening its global presence.

In order to achieve this goal, BNI has established several foreign offices in various strategic countries, and will continue to expand to potential countries that are Indonesia's trading partners.

"With a focus on markets that have close relations with Indonesia and significant growth potential, the company inaugurated the BNI Representative Office in Sydney, Australia, as well as the first bank representative from Indonesia to open an office in Australia," said Royke.

There are several strategic reasons why BNI chose Sydney as the new office location for its operations. First, Sydney is one of the main financial centers in the Asia Pacific region, so that by operating in Sydney, BNI can strengthen its presence in the international financial market and easier access to various global finances.

Second, Sydney is a business and economic center in Australia that offers many opportunities for business and investment collaboration. In addition, there are many potential business transactions carried out by Indonesian companies that carry out business expansion in Australia and vice versa.

Third, the Indonesian diaspora community in Sydney is quite strong, around 42 percent of Indonesian diaspora live in Sydney. Thus, the presence of BNI allows the company to better serve the banking needs of this community and strengthen relations with the Indonesian people in Australia.

Fourth, Australia offers access to new markets and is different from that so far worked on by BNI, thus allowing BNI to be more effective in mapping and exploring the region.

He hopes that the presence of BNI in Sydney can help strengthen synergies between various parties, both the government, business actors, and the Indonesian diaspora community in Australia, for mutual progress.

Currently, the main activities will include the implementation of research, such as conducting research on the economy and business in Australia. In addition, the BNI Representative Office can also provide business referrals to other foreign offices.