BCA launches farming credits

YOGYAKARTA (JP): PT Bank Central Asia (BCA) Tbk. launched here on Thursday a Rp 100 billion (US$10.5 million) credit program for the country's farmers and fishermen.

The bank's president, D.E. Setijoso, symbolically handed over Rp 30 billion in credits to the farmers of Central Java and Rp 20 billion to the farmers of Yogyakarta in a ceremony on Thursday to mark the start of the program.

Setijoso said the loans were part of the credit facilities channeled by the government through private banks to help improve the welfare of the country's farmers and fishermen.

He did not provide figures for the total credit facilities, but said BCA was entrusted by the government to distribute a total of Rp 100 billion of the loans.

Aside from Yogyakarta and Central Java, BCA will distribute loans to five other provinces where the bank operates, including South Sumatra and Bali, he said. (23)