IslamicFinance.de

Indonesia’s proposed Shariah megabank would improve industry awareness, lower costs and help the bank compete to win plantation, mining and infrastructure business. Combining the Islamic units of the government-held lenders is the most feasible of three options being considered by the State-Owned Enterprises Ministry. The other two options being considered are setting up a new state-owned Islamic lender or converting an existing government-held bank into a Shariah-compliant operation. It is possible the government could proceed with more than one of the choices. The ministry is currently in discussions with Bank Indonesia and will present a finalized proposal to the State-Owned Enterprises Ministry by the end of May. Government approval is expected by the end of the year.