Surabaya, BNP2TKI (11/10) – Prospective Indonesian migrant workers (TKI) in East Java will soon receive disbursements under the People’s Business Credit (KUR) program from the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, in cooperation with several banks.
“The realization of KUR for prospective TKI in East Java is because East Java is designated as the national pilot project,” said Harry Soegiri, Head of the East Java Department of Manpower, Transmigration, and Population (Disnakertransduk), in Surabaya on Monday (11/10) morning.
Regarding East Java being used as a test case for this KUR TKI pilot project, Acting Deputy for Protection at BNP2TKI, Dr. Lisna Yuliani Poeloengan, had previously explained during the “Coordination among Stakeholders in the Context of Credit and Remittance Facilities” event held by BNP2TKI’s Deputy at Hotel Salak in Bogor on 29–30 September.
“Regarding the government policy on KUR TKI as a pilot project – which started in 2010 – it has been trialed in East Java, with BRI as the executing bank,” said Lisna.
In 2011, the same model will be expanded to six provinces, namely West Java, Central Java, the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY), East Java, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), and East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), with 19 banks across the country acting as implementers.
Lisna explained that the government has made a commitment regarding the management of remittance funds sent by TKI by encouraging banks to handle them seriously.
Facilitation
According to Harry Soegiri, the KUR TKI program aims to empower prospective TKI while also boosting international banking transactions.
“The standard operating procedures for the KUR TKI program are still being prepared by the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs. Meanwhile, the East Java Provincial Government has already developed its concept while awaiting central government policy,” he said.
Several government-owned banks designated as implementers of the KUR TKI program have even opened representative offices in destination countries for TKI from East Java, such as Malaysia and Singapore.
He noted that the banks involved in the KUR TKI program include Bank Mandiri, BRI, BNI, Bank Bukopin, and Bank Jatim. In fact, Bank Mandiri has already identified around 100 prospective TKI who will be receiving loans.
Moreover, in the process of obtaining KUR TKI loans, prospective TKI will be facilitated by the availability of a credit guarantee institution.
“The government has appointed Askrindo and Jamkrindo as guarantors for TKI who wish to obtain KUR funds from the respective banks,” said Harry.
For Bank Jatim, he added, Jamkrindo will be specifically designated as the guarantor. The loan limit for prospective TKI will depend on the policies of each bank.
The KUR TKI program was introduced in response to the numerous challenges and issues that prospective TKI often face. “Many prospective TKI fail to depart due to cost constraints, particularly for preparation and training,” Harry explained.
(source: bnp2tko.go.id)