Middle East Investors Eyeing Indonesia's Sharia Bank BSI, Says Erick Thohir

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (SOE) Erick Thohir highlighted the development of prospective investors in the country’s sharia bank, Bank Syariah Indonesia (BSI), from the Middle East.

Erick said the ministry is currently exploring potential Middle Eastern investors to invest in BSI. “During a roadshow, they want [share ownership] at more than 10 percent if possible,” he said at the SOE Ministry office, Central Jakarta, on Tuesday, Dec. 19.

According to him, the shareholding offered is only around 10-12 percent. “If possible, [they want] 15-20 percent. [That will] make them a strategic partner,” Erick added.

BSI's shares are currently owned by PT Mandiri Tbk with 51.47 percent, PT Bank Negara Indonesia Tbk or BNI with 23.24 percent, and PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia Tbk or BRI with 15.38 percent. “They are still discussing the matter,” he said.

Erick Thohir went on to say that BSI already has a full license to operate in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the ministry was lobbying for BSI to have a full license in Saudi Arabia. “We target [BSI] to be among the top ten [sharia bank] in the world," the SOE minister hoped.

AMELIA RAHIMA SARI

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