Banks Begin to Have Positive Perception of Fishery Sector

"Banks begin to show strong interest in the marine and fishery sector," Bank Supervision Director of OJK Slamet Edi Purnomo told reporters here on Wednesday.

The non performing loan (NPL) in the marine and fishery sector is only 2.1 percent lower than 2.7 per cent in the manufacturing sector, Slamet said.

In addition, stronger growth of 12.5 percent was recorded by the marine and fishery sector per year as against less than 10 percent recorded in the manufacturing sector, he said.

"Hopefully this would encourage all financial industries to provide financial support for the sector. We should be optimistic with the development of the marine and fishery sector," he said.

There should be no negative perception of the marine and fishery sector, he added.

He expressed appreciation for a number of banks such as BRI providing credits for business in the marine and fishery sector.

The marine and fishery ministry together with non government organization Transformasi Kebijakan Publik have drafted reference for Sustainable Fishery Financing in a bid to boost business in the fishery sector.

"Banks are with us . Currently, the fishery community could use financing sources nationally," a senior official of the marine and fishery ministry Nilanto Perbowo said.

Nilanto said with the involvement of OJK, the fishery community has better access to financial sources and greater attention has been given to the sector.

The marine and fishery ministry wants to help in facilitating financial support for companies operating in the marine and fishery sector to strengthen their competitiveness in domestic and international market, he said.

Cooperation with banks would help strengthen the competitiveness of the fishery industry, he added.

The Marine and Fishery Ministry KKP together with the Transformasi Kebijakan Publik have organized a series of discussions including with banks to formulate recommendations on sustainable financing of business in the fishery sector.

Senior adviser of Transformasi Kebijakan Publik Sarwono Kusumaatmadja said the fishery sector would need large financing , therefore, the private sector and banks need to be involved.

In May, 2015, the marine and fishery ministry, OJK , eight banks and two non bank financial agencies launched what is called Reach , Synergy and Guideline program to give the marine and fishery sector greater access to finance.(WDY)