Indonesian Sharia Bank Potential To Go Global, Erick Thohir: The Legitimacy Of The Biggest Muslim Country

Minister of BUMN, Erick Thohir. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Minister Erick Thohir said that the establishment of PT Bank Syariah Indonesia Tbk. (BSI) is the government's effort to realize the legitimacy of the national sharia economy so that it can compete in the international arena.

"As a country with the largest Muslim population in the world, Indonesia deserves to have a large and strong Islamic bank that will make Indonesia one of the world's Islamic economic and financial centers," he said in a written statement at the Merdeka Palace, Monday, February 1.

Erick added that the strategic step to merge the three state sharia commercial banks is a relevant option to realize this vision. For information, BSI was formed by merging PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia Syariah Tbk (BRIS), PT Bank Syariah Mandiri (BSM), and PT Bank Negara Indonesia Syariah (BNI Syariah).

"The government and the people of Indonesia entrust the mandate to Indonesian Sharia Bank to bring Indonesia's name to the global sharia and halal industry," he said.

The boss of the state-owned company also mentioned about the performance of national sharia banking, which recorded excellent results throughout 2020. In fact, the crisis due to the pandemic has put pressure on almost all conventional banks.

"By applying the principles of financial justice and stability in investment which have been proven successful in navigating the Covid-19 pandemic crisis, they have even made a very positive and proud performance," he said.

On the same occasion, BSI President Director Hery Gunardi revealed that his party will focus on working on the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) sector as the backbone of the company's business activities.

"We have a focus on growing the MSME segment in an integrated ecosystem, serving the retail and consumer segments, and developing the wholesale segment with innovative products including global business development, such as global sukuk," he said.

For information, the inauguration of Bank Syariah Indonesia was carried out directly by the President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo at the State Palace, Jakarta. The ratification also marks the completion and completion of the merger process of the three government Islamic banks and is ready to operate with a new identity.