The implementation of smart cities and the digitization of public services are crucial in this year's economic recovery period. This will support transparency of regional financial transactions, governance, and integration of financial management systems in order to optimize regional revenues. In addition, digitization is believed to encourage the development of public digital payment transactions, realize financial inclusion, and increase economic integration and national digital finance.
In order to realize this, PT Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) Tbk. or BNI as a pioneer in digital banking, in collaboration with the Association of Indonesian Regency Governments (APKASI) in terms of the use of banking service facilities and support for the Smart City Program. BNI also directly cooperates with APAKSI and the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) in terms of using banking service facilities and supporting waste utilization programs.
The signing of this collective agreement was carried out by the General Chairperson of APKASI as well as the Regent of Dharmasraya Regency Sutan Riska Tuanku Kerajaan, Chairman of KADIN M. Arsjad Rasjid P.M., BNI Services and Networks Director Ronny Venir.
At the inauguration of this strategic step, BNI Business Optimization SVP Hermita, Deputy Chairperson of KADIN for Eka Literature Organization, and Sutan Riska and all Regents, Heads of Regencies throughout Indonesia, were present in person, Thursday (21/7/2022).
Deputy Minister of Home Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia John Wempi Wetipo in his statement said that the steps for implementing the smart city system in local governments were in line with laws and regulations, especially Presidential Decree Number 3 of 2021 for the Establishment of the Task Force for the Acceleration and Expansion of Regional Digitization (Satgas P2DD).
According to him, this strategic move by banks, business actors and local governments will be able to encourage electronification of local government transactions, to support the development of public digital payment transactions.
“Obviously we welcome this proactive step from multi-stakeholders. We believe that with the help of BNI and KADIN, more regional governments will be able to implement the smart city system in order to achieve stability and economic progress in their regions," he said.
He said that BNI has a BNI Smart City program which will later help local governments to use information technology in building a digital-based ecosystem in carrying out regional financial management to suit the smart city goal.
Not only financial governance aspects, BNI will also help bring together various stakeholders in building a smart ecosystem with a broad scope both in government, business, and consumer.
The scope of this collaboration includes smart government for local government financial system information management solutions, solutions for receiving various types of taxes or income, and payment solutions.
Furthermore, the smart economy which includes the market ecosystem, agricultural ecosystem, fisherman ecosystem, Bumdes ecosystem and BNI Xpora program for MSMEs to go global MSMEs. There is also a smart society which includes the tourism ecosystem, health ecosystem, and education ecosystem. Lastly is the smart environment, which includes the let's save with waste program, and proper and correct waste management.
"We believe that BNI through digital-based banking services and products with the support of various networks and channels will provide solutions and benefits for local governments and the community," he added.
BNI Supports Smart City
The implementation of this smart city is also a form of BNI's support to all district governments towards 100 Smart Cities which is a joint program of the Ministry of Communication and Information, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Bappenas and the Office of the Presidential Staff.
This movement aims to guide Regencies/Cities in preparing Smart City Masterplans so that they can maximize the use of technology, both in improving public services and accelerating the potential that exists in each region.
Ronny said that BNI is committed to providing comprehensive financial solutions, in accordance with BNI's goal to become your financial banking partner.
In line with the spirit of BNI Go Digital, the company offers many conveniences for APKASI and KADIN members, including BNI Taplus with mobile banking facilities, BNI Griya through online mortgage applications, subsidized housing credit facilities and insurance products from BNI Life.
“Thank you for the trust of APKASI and KADIN. We believe that this digital transformation effort will be able to increase efficiency, improve public services and improve the welfare of all people in the region," he added