Malang, 12 November 2015 - Bank Mandiri is supporting the efforts of the Financial Services Authority (FSA) and the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF) in developing the Reach, Synergy and Guidelines Program (JARING).

Bank Mandiri CEO Budi G. Sadikin said that the program was aimed at responding to the public need for information about the MMAF's database, financing schemes, mapping business risks and regulatory support from the relevant authorities.

The main objective of the JARING program is to boost lending to the maritime & fisheries sector, with this year's target being set higher than last year's.

'Through the JARING program, we want to further increase our active role in expanding access to finance for the community, particularly fisherfolk and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), so as to increase employment and spur national economic growth,' said Budi G. Sadikin in Malang on Thursday (Nov 12).

A total of of eight banks are participating in the initial stage of the JARING program, namely, Bank Mandiri, BRI, BNI, BTPN, Bank Danamon, Bank Permata, Bank Bukopin and BPD Sulselbar.

Budi said that Bank Mandiri had extended loans amounting to some Rp 1.7 trillion to sea fisheries businesses during the first nine months of the year as part of its overall lending to the maritime sector, which amounted to Rp 16.8 trillion.

Budi said that Bank Mandiri, in collaboration with the FSA, the MMAF, and a number of other banks, conducted JARING 2015 Program activities in Sendang Biru hamlet, Malang Regency, East Java.

Sendang Biru boasts one of the largest tuna catches in East Java and has the potential to become a leading tuna processor in terms of both quantity and quality.

Financial Services Institutions that can encourage business development.

The JARING program activities in Sendang Biru were aimed at providing an overview of the business potential of the maritime & fisheries sector, particularly along the Sendang Biru coast, and to expand public access to financial products and services through the Branchless Banking Program.

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