Susi Promises Banking Access for Fishermen
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Marine and Fisheries Affairs Minister Susi Pudjiastuti will facilitate fishermen or ship owners who owns ships with a capacity of less than 10 gross tonnage to have access to banking services. Minister Susi said that ship owners would only need came to the Marine and Fisheries Affairs Ministry office.
“I will establish an outpost at the Ministry’s licensing office. We will meet [fishermen] with banking institutions,” Susi said on Wednesday, October 5, 2016.
Susi promised to help fishermen to be able to access credit facilities to get funds to replace their trawls. Susi targeted fishermen to be able to get at least Rp 200 million loan. The Minister also offered to provide a debt restructuring program for fishermen.
Susi hoped that ship owners will take the opportunity to replace their trawls and fish with more environmentally friendly method. The Minister added that she had recently managed to help a fisherman to get a fresh loan from the bank.
Susi said that she had contacted two state-owned banks, Bank Rakyat Indonesia, and Bank BNI, to help with the program. The Minister also expected other banks to take part in the program, which is supported by the Financial Services Authority.
In addition, the Marine and Fisheries Affairs Ministry had asked fishermen to re-measure their ships, while Minister Susi guaranteed that there will be no illegal levy in the process.
Questions & Answers
Q.Which fishermen are eligible for this new banking access initiative?
Which fishermen are eligible for this new banking access initiative?
The initiative targets fishermen or ship owners whose vessels have a capacity of less than 10 gross tonnage. These individuals can gain access to banking services and credit facilities.
Q.What is the purpose of the credit facilities offered to fishermen?
What is the purpose of the credit facilities offered to fishermen?
The credit facilities are intended to help fishermen obtain funds to replace their trawls. Minister Susi hopes this will encourage more environmentally friendly fishing methods.
Q.Which financial institutions are currently involved in supporting this program?
Which financial institutions are currently involved in supporting this program?
Minister Susi has contacted state-owned banks Bank Rakyat Indonesia and Bank BNI to participate. The program also has support from the Financial Services Authority, and other banks are expected to join.
Q.What actions are fishermen expected to take to participate in the program?
What actions are fishermen expected to take to participate in the program?
Fishermen need to visit the Marine and Fisheries Affairs Ministry office, where an outpost will connect them with banking institutions. They have also been asked to re-measure their ships.
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