Visiting the BSI Dubai Office, the Vice President Expects BSI to Continue to Expand its International Network

Dubai, wapresri.go.id – K.H. Ma’ruf Amin took the time to visit Bank Syariah Indonesia (BSI) Dubai Representative Office at Unit 509, Gate District 3, Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC), Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Friday (04/11 /2022).

On this occasion, the Vice President hoped that BSI will continue to expand its wings abroad, not only in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) but also in other Muslim countries such as Malaysia and Saudi Arabia.

“We do not want BSI to only swim in a small pool around the house because the capacity is small, but it must join the wide ocean,” he said.

Because continued the Vice President; this is one of the things that Indonesian aspires to have a sharia bank, namely not only doing business at the national level but also at the global level.

“I think this is an opportunity and a coincidence that the relationship between Indonesia and the UAE is in good shape,” he said.

He also gave an example of the good relations between the two countries as reflected in the cooperation in the construction of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the Islamic Center in Solo. Then, UAE is also committed to building a School of Future Studies in Indonesia and assisting the development of the Capital City of Archipelago (IKN).

“Please put it to good use. BSI has a good moment. It becomes an entry point for investment in Indonesia, including (through collaboration) with Dubai Holding,” he asked.

Therefore, the Vice President asked BSI to continue promoting investment potentials in Indonesia, especially those related to the halal industry, such as halal gelatin factories, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.

“We also have several halal industrial areas in Sidoarjo, Cikande, Batam, and Bintan, and there will be more,” he added.

Apart from that, on this occasion, the Vice President also hoped that BSI Dubai could serve the Indonesian diaspora well because the diaspora is also a bridge for Indonesian products to enter UAE.

“The diaspora is Hamzah Washal (the liaison) for Indonesian products to get to Dubai,” he said.

Then, the Vice President also asked BSI to help popularize Indonesia’s leading halal products, including Muslim fashion in Dubai.

“We make Indonesian Muslim Fashion Week in Dubai like Jakarta Fashion Week. We have good designers, the models (clothes) are also good, and what is important is that they comply with sharia,” he concluded.

“Once it becomes a full branch, this bank can participate in syndication here, treasury matters, as well as a product back to back, can stand on the same level as Dubai Islamic Bank and Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank,” he said.

However, continued Hery, BSI is now also serving banking transactions for the Indonesian diaspora, such as sending money, saving money, and making gold installments quickly with the BSI Mobile Banking application.

“BSI Mobile Banking referrals are the only ones who can use this number and can send money (remittances) through cooperation with local Direct Remit companies,” he explained.

Besides that, said Hery, BSI is also working with the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs to finance a thousand nurses who will work in Dubai. This includes building relationships to market Indonesian MSME products in the UAE region.

“We see that the potential for MSMEs is huge. BSI itself has 3 MSME Centers including in Yogyakarta and Surabaya, so BSI partners are expected to be able to export to Dubai,” he said.

Apart from the BSI President Director, several BSI officials were present at this review, including Bank Mandiri Director of Compliance and HR Agus Dwi Handaya, Director of Compliance and HR of BSI Tri Buana Tungga Dewi, and Director of Treasure and International BSI Moh. Adib.

Meanwhile, the Vice President was accompanied by the Head of the Vice President Secretariat Ahmad Erani Yustika, Director General for Asia Pacific and Africa of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Abdul Kadir Jailani, Special Staff of the Vice President for Communication and Information Masduki Baidlowi, Special Staff for the Vice President Mohammad Imam Aziz, Expert Team Vice Presidents Farhat Brachma and Iggi Haruman Achsien, Indonesian Consulate General in Dubai K. Candra Negara, and Head of Baznas Noor Ahmad. (SM/LHS-BPMI Setwapres)