Jakarta (ANTARA) - State-Owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir expects PT Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI) to become a global-quality bank that can assist MSMEs, Indonesian migrant workers, and the diaspora.

Thohir delivered the remarks during the commemoration of BNI's 76th anniversary.

"We expect that BNI will also continue to encourage MSMEs to improve (and meet) international standards; take care of migrant workers, who are the agents of development, (boost) employment opportunities, and (support) the diaspora who (had become the gateway to) Indonesian products in overseas markets," he noted in a statement received here on Wednesday.

He remarked that the BNI had a noble task to become a national bank with international reach for which it must improve the overseas network it had developed, as a means to support economic growth at the domestic and global scope.

He expects BNI to continue to improve its service quality, human resource capability, and ability to compete with other banks, particularly the global ones.

President Commissioner of BNI Agus Dermawan Wintarto Martowardojo stated that the company was focusing on pursuing positive improvements and comprehensive transformations with the best energy, resources, and capabilities.

"With the spirit to synergize, collaborate, and contribute, BNI is able to (improve) and become a leading financial institution to be reckoned with and (become) the pride of this country, as history had (cemented) BNI's name in the Indonesian banking (sector)," he stated.

Martowardojo noted that as of March 2022, BNI's performance had continued to improve. Net profit was recorded at Rp4.3 trillion, or grew by 84 percent (yoy).

The growth in net profit was supported by net interest income that grew 2.3 percent (yoy), fee-based income that increased 18.8 percent (yoy), and loan recovery of 103.5 percent, so the operating income before reserves, or PPOP, grew 11 percent (yoy).

Through efforts to improve credit quality by monitoring, management, and effective policies, BNI was also able to create remarkable credit quality.

"We also noted that in the March 2022 period, total assets grew 8.1 percent (yoy), credit grew 5.9 percent (yoy), and third-party funds were able to grow up to 8.4 percent," he stated.

The company was also able to reduce the cost of funds at 1.46 percent, which was the lowest recorded in recent years.

President Director of BNI Royke Tumilaar highlighted that since its establishment, BNI had been actively participating in the national economic development efforts. They were also able to develop international business with other countries, bridging Indonesia's gap to the global markets.

"These 76 years are the (time) to prove BNI as an agile financial institution that is able to adapt to new challenges, which, in fact, if (the opportunity) is used properly, can be an opportunity to achieve success," he remarked.

BNI will continue to pursue innovation and improve creativity in order to become a leading financial institution, in terms of service and sustainable performance.

"We truly laud all stakeholders, including the government, employees, and customers, who have consistently supported BNI. We will continue to conduct functions and (contribute) to maintain and improve positive national economic performance,” Tumilaar concluded.

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Translator: Kuntum Khaira R, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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