27/08/2024. PT Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) Tbk or BNI participated in the program initiated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemlu) to collaborate on the Indonesian Community Card Abroad (KMILN).
The collaboration was marked by the signing of a Cooperation Agreement regarding the support and development of KMILN throughout the world with the Directorate General of Information and Public Diplomacy of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The signing was carried out by BNI Network and Services Director Ronny Venir at the Nusantara Room, 2nd Floor, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jakarta, Tuesday (27/8/2024).
Ronny conveyed that this cooperation is carried out in order to provide convenience to the diaspora in reaching and conducting banking transactions abroad. This cooperation concerns the use of KMILN to open savings accounts for the diaspora.
"KMILN is the identity and recognition of the Indonesian government to the Indonesian diaspora for their potential for Indonesia. This collaboration is to make it easier for the diaspora if they want to access banking abroad," he said.
Ronny explained, in accordance with Government Regulation (PP) No. 76 of 2017, which regulates that Indonesian citizens overseas are Indonesian citizens (WNI) who live abroad, foreigners/foreign citizens (WNA) which include WNA former WNI, WNA children of former WNI, and WNA whose one or both biological parents are WNI.
Currently, the total Indonesian diaspora abroad is more than seven million people, where KMLIN ownership has only reached 1,747 as of August 2024. Meanwhile, the distribution of KMILN card holders includes Malaysia, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, Brunei Darussalam, and Suriname.
Ronny stated that BNI as a global bank mandated by the Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) as a provider of integrated digital financial connectivity with international excellence, particularly for Indonesians living overseas, is tasked of bridging Indonesia with the world in supporting the expansion of banking services and transactions globally.
"With this collaboration, BNI as a provider of banking transaction solutions is committed to fully supporting the existence of the diaspora in achieving their financial goals," he explained.
Since its inception, Ronny said, BNI has been designed as a bank in Indonesia with an international network and global capacity. BNI's Overseas Office (KLN) network is spread across several countries such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Seoul, New York, London, Tokyo, Osaka, and Amsterdam.
Through its overseas network, BNI targets the diaspora in expanding its transactions by providing banking services needed by the diaspora.
The services include account opening facilities (Diaspora Saving), loan facilities to support diaspora businesses (Diaspora Loan), investment products for diaspora to optimize their investments (Diaspora Invest), and remittance services to send money to family in Indonesia.
Currently, there are more than seven million Indonesian diaspora, consisting of 10% students, 20% married to foreign nationals, and 70% Indonesian migrant workers.
To make it easier for the diaspora to access banking overseas, diaspora KMILN holders can visit BNI branches abroad that have a full branch license and then apply to open an account by preparing documents in the form of a passport and KMILN, then Customer Service will verify the data and validity of the KMILN.
After that, the diaspora can open a BNI account. KMILN registration is done through the link provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at https://iocs.kemlu.go.id/
"Please register for KMILN and then take advantage of the facilities we provide. Through this collaboration, hopefully BNI and Kemlu can be a bridge for the diaspora in enjoying various banking facilities needed," concluded Ronny.