Deputy Minister Of BUMN Kartika Wirjoatmodjo Says Agent Banks And QRIS Are Capable Of Accelerating Indonesia's Financial Inclusion In Recent Years

Deputy Minister of BUMN II, Kartika Wirjoatmodjo. (Photo: Doc. Ministry of SOEs)

JAKARTA - Deputy Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) II Kartika Wirjoatmodjo said agent banks and Quick Response Code Indonesian Standard (QRIS) have accelerated financial inclusion in Indonesia in recent years.

Based on a survey by the Financial Services Authority (OJK), he explained that Indonesia's financial inclusion index increased significantly from only around 50 percent in 2015, to 83.4 percent in 2021.

"I think these two services (agency banks and QRIS) are the key to increasing financial inclusion from 50 percent (in 2015) to 84 percent in 2021," Tiko said at the SOE International Conference entitled "The Role of SOEs in Broadening Financial", as quoted by Antara, Tuesday 18 October.

Furthermore, these two services initiated by the government have created an ecosystem in which there are many Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) actors, which ultimately play a role in encouraging national economic growth.

In addition, these two services have also made it easier for Indonesian people, who geographically live in maritime or archipelagic countries.

"These two services (agent banks and QRIS) make it easier for people on every island to access banking remotely, without having to come to a branch office," said Tiko.

On this occasion, he conveyed that the government is increasing the financial inclusion of ultra-micro business actors, of which 45 million ultra-micro business actors, 30 million of them do not have adequate access to finance.

"They (ultra micro business actors) already have a bank account or financial payment, however, they do not have adequate access to finance," said Tiko.

Not only that, in increasing financial inclusion, it also continues to be accompanied by massively increasing financial literacy and consumer protection.

"The community not only has easy access to finance but also has access to protection, this is very important," said Tiko.

For information, the financial inclusion index in Indonesia will reach 83.6 percent in 2021, and several key indicators that support this achievement include increasing access to finance, accelerating the use of formal financial services, and improving the quality of financial services.