Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Bank Indonesia has projected that the Shariah banking market share in the country is estimated to reach 5.25-6.25 percent by the end of 2014.

"Our forecast is based on three growth scenarios: pessimistic, moderate, and optimistic," the Central Banks Executive Director for Shariah Banking Edy Setiadi announced at a press conference here on Monday.

Based on the pessimistic scenario, economic pressures, especially trade deficit and exchange rate, will continue to hinder the performance of the real sector and, in view of this, total Shariah banking assets are expected to reach Rp255.2 trillion, while total third party funds are forecast to reach Rp209.66 trillion and total funding at Rp216.72 trillion, he stated.

"Based on the moderate scenario, funding sources such as the Hajj pilgrimage and private placement funds will still be available to Shariah banks, while the effective Shariah Economic Movement scheme will also help to increase sources and uses of funds," he added.

In line with the scenario, the total assets of Shariah banks are estimated to reach Rp283.57 trillion, while total third party funds are forecast to reach Rp220.69 trillion and total funding of Rp228.13 trillion.

Edi said the optimistic scenario can be achieved if the performance of the real sector can be restored in 2013, so that Shariah banks can utilize other sources and GRES to boost sources and uses of funds.

"The optimistic scenario can also be realized by their interconnections (between the banks and their principals or groups) and increased support from principal banks or groups, coupled with the realization of state-owned Shariah banks," he said.

Based on the optimistic scenario, the total assets of Shariah banks are estimated to reach Rp311.92 trillion, while total third party funds are forecast to reach Rp232.82 trillion and total funding of Rp239.54 trillion. (*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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