TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – The Financial Service Authority (OJK) has called on the banking industry not to charge high interest on small, micro and medium enterprises (UMKM) because they are among the country's economic boosters at the lower level.

Data from the Cooperative, Small, Micro and Medium Enterprises Ministry revealed there were currently about 56 million small and medium enterprises in Indonesia. The sector also absorbs some 100 million workers.

“The data reflects that there is a huge potential of UMKM as an economic growth booster at the lower level,” OJK commissioner Firdaus Djaelani said on Monday, September 29, 2014 after attending the launch of the Mikro Mandiri service event in Jakarta.

According to Firdaus, the lack of knowledge about micro financial among bank customers has stymied the micro-loan programs. Therefore, to provide customers with wider access to financial products, Firdaus said, banks should launch products in bundles.

Another issue is that most micro-loan debtors are not bankable. The solution to the problem is by utilizing loan collateral services provided by financing companies PT Jaminan Kredit Daerah (Jamkrida) and PT Asuransi Kredit Indonesia (Askrindo).

The government and state-owned banks should also coordinate to lower micro-loan interests.

“If the UMKMs are successful, banks will enjoy the results,” Firdaus said.

FAIZ NASHRILLAH