President Jokowi Leads Groundbreaking of Bank Kaltimtara

President Jokowi at the groundbreaking ceremony of Bank Kaltimtara, Friday (03/01). (Photo by: BPMI)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo Friday (03/01) led the groundbreaking ceremony of regional development bank Bank Kaltimtara in Indonesia’s new capital of Nusantara in North Penajam Paser regency, East Kalimantan province.

The construction of Bank Kaltimtara is not only an important step in developing financial sector in Kalimantan island but also part of bigger vision of the transformation of Indonesia’s economy.

“Surely we have made a plan that this place will be a new economy, will transform Indonesia’s economy into digital banking,” President Jokowi said.

The President also expressed hope that Bank Kaltimtara—which has the largest capital among regional development banks in the country—can form a consortium with other regional development banks in the island and become the coordinator to increase the capital and competitiveness as well as to collaborate with State-Owned Banks Association (Himbara) in providing financial services, especially to support MSMEs and development in the regions to strengthen Kalimantan island’s economy.

Quoting Indonesia’s economic performance in 2023 that grew 5.05 percent and controlled inflation at 2.5 percent, President Jokowi expressed optimism on the regional economic prospects with the development of new infrastructure.

“If the construction of new airports and toll roads are completed, Nusantara’s investment will get better, develop, and increase,” he remarked. (TGH/UN) (GWH/MMB)