Jakarta (ANTARA) - The government is continuing to expedite financial inclusion to achieve higher, equal, and more inclusive economic growth, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, said in a statement issued on Thursday.

In addition, the government is also bolstering coordination and synergy with all stakeholders for the same purpose, he added.

Indonesia's financial inclusion rate rose to 83.6 percent in 2021 compared to the previous year.

The financial inclusion development was followed by a growth in banking account ownership and utilization that rose to 65.4 percent in 2021.

The percentage of adults that had an account in cities was higher compared to villages, but the ownership growth in villages was higher compared to cities.

In villages, bank agents and village-owned enterprises (BUMDes) significantly contributed to the increase in account ownership.

Moreover, aid distribution from the government also increased the people's bank account ownership.

Electronic money utilization rose 2.5 times to 11.7 percent in 2021, the minister added.

"Bank agents spread, technology infrastructure, and government aid distribution contributed to digital technology development, which expedited financial inclusion in Indonesia," he said.

In addition, the government has also continued to improve people's digital literacy to improve financial inclusion.

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This is being done through digital skills development from basic to advanced levels through the Digital Literacy National Movement, Digital Talent Scholarship, and Digital Leadership Academy.

The government is also continuing to encourage the digitalization of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to improve productivity and facilitate financing access, such as through the smallholder business credit (KUR) program.

"Digitalization has provided a new option for the people to obtain financing access. This benefit will encourage the rise in financial inclusion, which increases economic activities as a whole," Hartarto said.

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Translator: Sanya Dinda S, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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