Jakarta - The Advisory Board of National Islamic Finance Committee (KNKS) held a gathering and break fasting at Bank of Indonesia (BI) building on Monday, May 27.

Attendees of the event consist of representatives from Bank of Indonesia (BI); The Financial Services Authority (OJK); National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas); Halal Products Certification Agency (BPJPH); ministries including Ministry for Religious Affairs (Kemenag), Finance (Kemenkeu), Cooperative and MSME (KemenkopUKM), as well as the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs (Kemenko Perekonomian); Indonesian Council of Ulama (DSN); and KNKS management.

"Bank of Indonesia fully supports the development of Islamic economics and finance in Indonesia," BI Deputy Governor Dody Budi Waluyo said in his remarks.

On the occasion, BI also presented the timeline and rundown for the upcoming Indonesia Sharia Economic Festival (ISEF) 2019, which will run from November 12 to 17 at Jakarta Convention Center as the culmination for a series of regional Sharia Economic Festivals (Fesyar).

Also on the occasion, the Advisory Board presented the agendas of related institutions and ministries on Islamic economy with the aim to establish a synergy between one another.

"Let us synergize our programs to establish Islamic economy in Indonesia. One way for our ministry to support the program, among others, is through the distribution of sharia business loans (KUR Syariah)," said Iskandar Simorangkir Deputy Minister for Macroeconomic and Financial Coordination, Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs.

The Advisory Board consists of the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs; Minister of National Development Planning/Head of Bappenas; Minister of Finance; Minister of Religious Affairs; Minister of State-Owned Enterprises, Minister of Cooperative and MSME; Chairman of Financial Service Authority’s Board of Commissioners; Bank of Indonesia Governor; Chairman of Deposit Insurance Agency’s Board of Commissioners; and the Chairman of Indonesian Council of Ulama.

The primary mission of the board is to advise the President and Vice President in their capacity as Chairman and Deputy Chairman of KNKS.

Reporter: Ishmah Qurratu’ain