Empowering the Islamic Boarding School Economy: Bank Jatim’s Sharia Business Unit Distributes Sharia KUR at OPOP Expo 2024.
Date: 29 november 2024Categories :
SURABAYA, NOVEMBER 29, 2024. PT Bank Pembangunan Daerah Jawa Timur Tbk (bankjatim) continues to support the development of the Sharia economy in East Java. This commitment was demonstrated through the One Pesantren One Product (OPOP) Expo, organized by the East Java Provincial Government from November 29 to December 1, 2024. As a form of support during the event, bankjatim symbolically distributed Sharia KUR (People's Business Credit) financing to the Al Mustaqim Surabaya Islamic Boarding School Cooperative (Kopontren) ecosystem, amounting to IDR 100 million. Held at Royal Plaza Surabaya, the opening of OPOP Expo 2024 was attended by the Acting Governor of East Java, Adhy Karyono, and bankjatim’s Director of Micro, Retail, and Medium Business, R. Arief Wicaksono.
Arief explained that access to financing for MSME actors must be opened as widely as possible. Therefore, he hopes that the distribution of Sharia KUR from bankjatim serves as a strategic effort to help East Javanese MSMEs "scale up," while simultaneously increasing financial literacy and inclusion based on Sharia principles. This is expected to drive long-term economic growth in East Java. ”As one of the banks distributing Sharia KUR, bankjatim—through its Sharia Business Unit (UUS)—does not only provide capital. We also provide mentoring and training for MSMEs to ensure these business actors are competitive and can elevate their business levels,” he elaborated.
According to Arief, UUS bankjatim consistently innovates to provide products that meet the needs and expectations of the community. UUS bankjatim also plays an active role in supporting East Java Provincial Government programs, particularly those related to the Sharia economy. Key initiatives include collaborating with OPOP East Java for the issuance of OPOP co-branded ATM cards, OPOP East Java Samsat (vehicle tax) services, the issuance of digital student ID cards, Sharia branchless banking (Laku Pandai) services in Islamic boarding school cooperatives, and providing access to capital. ”We are committed to continuing our synergy and collaboration with various parties to advance the Sharia economy in East Java and realize community welfare,” Arief stated.
Meanwhile, Adhy Karyono noted that East Java's economic growth reached 4.91 percent. This figure represents the highest economic growth among provinces on the island of Java, contributing 14.5 percent to Indonesia's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 25.14 percent to Java's economy. "One of the major contributors to this high economic growth is the Islamic boarding school (pesantren) sector. Therefore, OPOP contributes significantly to strengthening the economy of both East Java and Indonesia,” he explained.
In addition to economic growth, the presence of OPOP helps the government address unemployment and poverty rates in East Java. This is reflected in the number of students (santri) trained in entrepreneurship, which has reached over 500,000 people, with 1,210 'pesantrenpreneurs' already established. "The economic ecosystem built within these boarding schools is largely able to reduce unemployment and poverty in East Java. Thus, OPOP is a vital part of the 'exit' strategy from poverty and unemployment," he added.
Furthermore, Adhy encouraged Islamic boarding schools to continue promoting halal products to the public. Beyond providing consumer protection, this is part of the effort to reach wider markets. ”We hope OPOP Expo 2024 serves as a platform to advocate for halal products as a solution and alternative oriented toward consumer safety. We must ensure all OPOP products are halal-certified so they can be continuously promoted locally, nationally, and internationally,” he concluded.
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