Development of Sharia Economy in Bangka Belitung Hindered
The Head of Bank Indonesia’s (BI) Representative Office in Bangka Belitung Province, Rommy Sariu Tamawiwy, stated that there is significant potential for developing the Sharia economy in the Bangka Belitung region. Unfortunately, this is still hindered by the many business actors who do not yet have halal certification.
“This is one of our main concerns. Because mandatory halal will be enforced in October 2026. We continue to campaign for it, even though it is not our primary task,” said Rommy to reporters on Monday, 6 April 2026. Currently, BI has facilitated 300 people to obtain certification as Halal Slaughterers (Juleha) and is promoting digital waqf.
Rommy explained that the push for strengthening halal certification is also being carried out by facilitating the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for a halal laboratory between the State Islamic Institute (IAIN) Syekh Abdurrahman Siddiq Bangka Belitung and the State Islamic University (UIN) Sunan Gunung Jati Bandung.
“In addition, from the academic side, we are also providing support for the independence of pesantren. Besides being centres of religious knowledge, pesantren must advance to become pioneers in Sharia business and finance,” said Rommy.
On that occasion, he stated that BI continues to encourage improvements in literacy and the potential of Sharia economic finance in the region. One of them is by holding the Bangka Belitung Sharia Economy and Finance Forum (Bekisah) 2026.
According to Rommy, the Bekisah 2026 Forum will focus on strengthening halal certification and empowering micro, small, and medium enterprises (UMKM). “This event is not just for promoting halal products. But we are trying to increase public literacy regarding what and how the Sharia economy and finance ecosystem works.”
The Bekisah 2026 Forum is scheduled to be held at Masjid Qubah Timah in Pangkalpinang City from 24 April to 26 April 2026. He invited the public and all business actors to attend the event.
“What is important in this event is the abundant Sharia economy and finance literacy that will be gained. A business, if accompanied by literacy, becomes very strong,” said Rommy. “Our literacy concept is delivered through various competitions from children to adults.”