TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Financial Services Authority (OJK) is cooperating with the National Professional Certification Board (BNSP) to improve the quality standards of human resources in the financial services.

Muliaman Hadad, OJK board of commissioners' chairman, said the agreement is intended to boost the competitiveness of the national human resources in welcoming the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in the banking sector in 2020.

Mr. Hadad said the banking sector would need about 4,920 certified professionals in the next five years, mostly executive officer. The non-bank sector is estimated to need 1,930 certified workers, mostly life insurance experts, actuaries, and administrators. Meanwhile, the capital market needs about 25,080 securities firms' representatives.

In welcoming the AEC, BNSP chairman Sumarna F. Abdurrahman said there are 12 leading industrial sectors favored to compete in the ASEAN free market. "But only two have received mutual recognition arrangement (MRA)," he said.

The two sectors are tourism and health. The remaining 10 sectors:; logistics, information communication, air transportation, agro, wood, rubber, fisheries, and automotive; have difficulties obtaining MRAs.

Sumarna said the MRA certification process must be done immediately. "We still have five years to spruce up and get everything ready," he said.

ODELIA SINAGA