CIREBON, KOMPAS.com – The government will expand the roster of banks designated as distributors of People's Business Credit (KUR) from 32 banks to 33 banks.
This is made possible as the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs is finalizing the process of including BNI Syariah as one of the new KUR distributing banks.
“We hope this will be finalized in one more meeting. After that, we just need to wait for the approval of the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, and then BNI Syariah will officially become a KUR distributor,” said Erlangga Mantik, Deputy for Macroeconomic Coordination at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, in Cirebon, West Java, on Sunday (14/8/2011).
According to Erlangga, so far there have been 26 regional development banks (BPD) selected as KUR distributors, plus six banks outside of the BPDs, including all state-owned banks (BUMN).
As for sharia banks, only Bank Syariah Mandiri (BSM) has been included as a KUR distributor so far, so the government is making efforts to add sharia banks as KUR distributors. This way, the desire of some members of the public who want to obtain sharia contracts will be fulfilled.
“Meanwhile, there are no plans for other sharia banks to join, including BRI Syariah,” he said.
Previously, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Hatta Rajasa mentioned that the government plans to raise the KUR distribution ceiling from the average disbursement of the past few years, which was Rp20 trillion per year, to Rp25 trillion per year. This policy was adopted because KUR is considered capable of boosting the economic condition of the poor, both in urban and rural areas.
“This increase will be implemented gradually. It might start with Rp25 trillion and then be raised to the Rp30 trillion level,” said Hatta.
(Source: kompas.com)