Vice President Ma’ruf Amin has asked the Islamic Economy and Finance Regional Committee (KDEKS) of Yogyakarta to strengthen innovation in the development of digital-based Islamic economy and finance in the province.
“The digital infrastructure, which is already good, must be utilized to support the implementation of the digital-based halal industry MSME (micro, small, and medium enterprise) module,” he said at the inauguration of Yogyakarta KDEKS here on Wednesday.
According to him, the digitalization of Islamic finance and social funds, such as the digitalization of Baitul Maal Wat Tamwil (a micro Islamic finance institution), will expand access and services as well as improve people’s welfare.
He expressed optimism that the KDEKS will expedite efforts to optimize the potential of the Islamic economy and finance to make Yogyakarta a center of education, culture, creative economy, and tourism in Southeast Asia.
He appealed to the committee to oversee the integration of the Islamic economy and finance into the Regional Long-Term Development Plan (RPJPD) and the Regional Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN) to ensure the harmony, continuity, and sustainability of programs.
“Yogyakarta KDEKS should be directly involved in the synchronization of policies at the central and regional levels to ensure the achievement of national development targets,” Amin added.
The Vice President said he hopes that education and literacy on the Islamic economy and finance can be intensified more widely.
Deputy Governor of Yogyakarta, KGPAA Paku Alam X, said that the Islamic economy and finance are playing a strategic role in supporting MSMEs through fair and transparent financing.
In addition, the Islamic economy and finance are considered capable of improving access to capital, risk management, and support for business sustainability.
“Hopefully, the sharia model can be an important pillar in supporting MSME growth that is more equitable and sustainable,” he said.