BI's Bekisah Forum Targets Growth in Sharia Economy
The sixth Forum Bangka Belitung Ekonomi dan Keuangan Syariah (Bekisah) 2026, held by Bank Indonesia (BI) of the Bangka Belitung Islands Province, targets an increase in Sharia economic literacy and potential by encouraging the growth of digital financial transactions and halal certifications.
The Head of the BI Representative Office in Bangka Belitung, Rommy Sariu Tamawiwy, stated that the micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) sector still faces challenges in marketing, network expansion, Sharia financing, and financial transactions.
“BI will facilitate the resolution of all these obstacles through this Bekisah Forum. We hope that Sharia economy and finance will contribute to improving the economic growth of the community,” said Rommy when opening the sixth Bekisah Forum at Masjid Qubah Timah in Pangkalpinang City on Friday, 25 April 2026.
Rommy explained that BI will oversee the implementation of digital payment transactions or QRIS (Quick Response Code Indonesian Standard), which is now available for cross-border use in countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, South Korea, and Japan.
“If international flight routes in Bangka Belitung are opened, one of the supports is how tourists can transact. We will prepare all of that, plus MSME products that are already halal certified. Tourists who come will no longer have any worries,” he said.
According to Rommy, BI is focused on pursuing the October Mandatory Halal (WHO) target for all MSME products. Currently, he said, BI has facilitated the provision of a halal laboratory resulting from cooperation between the Institut Agama Islam Negeri (IAIN) Syaikh Abdurrahman Siddiq Bangka Belitung and Universitas Islam Negeri (UIN) Sunan Gunung Jati.
“We are confident that the Sharia economy will make a significant contribution to the economic growth of Bangka Belitung because its population is predominantly Muslim. The number of pesantren, mosques, and ustadz is also continuously increasing,” he said.
Rommy added that the development of Sharia economy and finance requires strong collaboration among stakeholders, as well as the ability to adapt to digital transformation so that the resulting ecosystem becomes more inclusive, efficient, and able to reach the wider community.
“Therefore, we are optimistic in taking commitments and continuing to build synergies. The Bekisah Forum is proof of our synergy, collaboration, and commitment. We hope that MSMEs can level up and play a role in the community economy,” he said.
The 2026 Bekisah Forum is being held from Friday, 24 April 2026, to Sunday, 26 April 2026, at the grounds of Masjid Qubah Timah and Alun-alun Taman Merdeka in Pangkalpinang City. The forum features various activities targeting all levels of society, from bazaars by 50 MSMEs, Sharia competitions, educational talkshows, training for Halal Slaughter Officers (Juleha), blood donations, to a grand tabligh as the event’s climax, which will be held on 26 April 2026 with Ustad Zacky Mirza.