On 21st September 2015, BNI Syariah organised a workshop for journalists on the topic of “Shariah Banking in Facing Today’s Economic Conditions” that was attended by various media personnel from online and printed publications including SWA Magazine, Investor Daily, Media Indonesia, Bisnis Indonesia, Republika, Kontan, Infobank, Metrotvnews.com, and Kompas.com. BNI Syariah’s Business Director Mr Imam Teguh Saptono chaired the main event programme which included a comprehensive overview of the company’s proposed strategies to elevate the role of Shariah banking amidst the current state of Indonesia’s economy.
President Director of BNI Syariah Mr Dinno Indiano and the bank’s Operational Director Mr Junaidi Hisom also made an appearance during the event providing direct insights into BNI Syariah’s success in remaining at the industry’s forefront. Despite recent challenges within the banking industry, BNI Syariah’s Mr Dinno Indiano stated during a question and answer session that the bank’s commitment to remaining disciplined in focusing its financing operations around the Griya Hasanah programme for first-time home buyers played a significant role in stabilising the bank’s performance.
Prior to the Q&A segment, the event featured an informative session led by Mr Imam Teguh Saptono who outlined the impact of current macroeconomic conditions on Indonesia’s banking sector in addition to discussing the need for Indonesia to boost the role of Shariah banking ahead of the ASEAN Economic Community. In providing solutions to the challenge of promoting further growth in the industry, Mr Saptono delved into measures such as incorporating Shariah banking knowledge as part of Indonesia’s education system, advocating for greater government support (akin to the level of support provided by the government in Malaysia) and having the boldness to offer Shariah banking services above conventional banking as practiced by Bank Internasional Indonesia. Similar recommendations were also voiced by Mr Dinno Indiano, in his suggestion that better government support is required to position Shariah banking on the same playing field as conventional banks.
Understanding the importance of the role that the media plays in reaching out to a mass audience, BNI Syariah also took the opportunity to engage the 27 journalists at the event by encouraging them to cover the bank’s ongoing Mutiara Bangsa BerHasanah competition. During the workshop event, BNI Syariah presented brief profiles on the 14 finalists, each of whom represents the bank’s core values of selflessness and sound moral character.
With numerous changes impacting Indonesia’s banking and finance sector, BNI Syariah remains abreast of the latest developments and through its open approach is prepared to share further information on Shariah banking services as a means of educating the public. As such, BNI Syariah will continue to organise monthly workshops for journalists on a number of topics given the evolving landscape in Indonesia’s modern-day banking industry.
