"We, who are using the old pattern in the digital era, are forced to change our strategy because of the pandemic. If it is not changed, we will be left behind, even at a loss," South Sumatra Governor Herman Deru said here on Monday.
The enterprises that are facing a loss due to not adapting to the digital era must be grouped based on their performance and continue to be evaluated, he added.
"It is true that these enterprises are monitored. We always remind them in every General Meeting of Shareholders (GMS). However, if there is no significant improvement, they will be re-grouped," he said.
There are several regional companies whose performance has declined due to the impact of the pandemic, but there are also BUMDs that are surviving just to maintain assets, he noted.
For those BUMDs, the governor emphasized the need for other efforts to improve performance.
So far, the South Sumatra provincial government has established a number of business entities in various fields, ranging from banking, oil and gas, food, and transportation.
Deru reminded enterprises directors of their moral responsibility to advance the business entities for the welfare of the people of South Sumatra.
Meanwhile, President Director of PT Bank Sumsel Babel Ahmad Syamsudin said it had completed digitizing services before the pandemic hit.
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Due to digitalization, it is not surprising that the banking industry has become the fastest sector in adapting to the community's needs for digital services, he said.
"Due to the pandemic, the use of digital services has been accelerated. For us, this is a potential for company development," he said.
One of BSB's digital services is BSB Lur, which allows customers to access banking services through their gadgets without having to visit the office, he informed.
"Currently, there are 1,250 BSB Lur agents spread across South Sumatra and Bangka Belitung," he added.
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Translator: Dolly Rosana, Raka Adji
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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