Jakarta (ANTARA News) - An economic observer said state-owned banks have bigger chances to expand and compete in Singapore if that country decides to ease its protection policy.

"I think it is good for BNI, BRI and Mandiri to open branches there. Their chances are big," Tony A Prasetiantono said at Bank Indonesia Building here on Wednesday.

He said Singapore indeed tends to be protective but he also considered as correct Bank Indonesia`s move to require the Monetary Authority of Singapore to allow Indonesia`s state-owned banks to expand there to make that country`s DBS Holding Group able to acquire 67,4 percent of Bank Danamon shares.

"Singapore tends to be protective and so it is appropriate for us to take a reciprocal treatment. It is all appropriate and I think it is good," he said.

Tony said state-owned banks would have an opportunity to compete and win the hearts of bank customers in Singapore.

"We can make bank customers in Singapore to move to our banks. But it must be first started by opening a small branch and later a big one," he said.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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