Aceh: Pioneer in Digital Sharia Economy in Indonesia

Jakarta, INTI - The province of Aceh, as one of the regions in Indonesia, has successfully implemented a Sharia-based economic system. This initiative is supported by Qanun, which has become the commitment of the Aceh Provincial Government to advance a Sharia-based economy. In today's digital era, Aceh holds significant potential to develop digital Sharia finance, which is believed to bring broad benefits to the community.

Deputy Minister of Communication and Informatics, Nezar Patria, stated that Aceh has the potential to advance further in implementing digital Sharia finance. "The potential for implementing digital Sharia finance is enormous. We know there are Sharia-based mobile banking applications that offer easier services, and e-commerce is also growing," he said during the Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with Bank Indonesia's Aceh Region in Banda Aceh, Tuesday (06/08/2024).

Potential for Digital Sharia Economy in Aceh

According to Deputy Minister Nezar Patria, the potential for Aceh's Sharia economy is more significant due to the regulations set by Qanun. Alongside the growth of Sharia economy in Aceh, Deputy Minister Nezar Patria sees the ongoing digitalization process as a key factor. "In this digital age, we see how the Sharia economy has greater opportunities to provide benefits to the wider community through ease and speed of transactions, thus providing widespread advantages for society,” he explained.

The adoption of digital technology in Sharia financial transactions is increasingly developing in Aceh. One example is the use of the Quick Response Code Indonesian Standard (QRIS) already implemented in the Sharia economy system. "QRIS is very convenient, especially for SMEs, because it eliminates the need for cash and simplifies cashier operations. Otherwise, they would be burdened with cash handling. With QRIS, transactions are automatically recorded to bank accounts and are very practical," Nezar stated.

Aceh as a Center for Sharia Economy

Deputy Minister Nezar Patria emphasized that the Sharia economy has become a favored economic variant in Aceh. "Of course, Indonesia, with its majority Muslim population, represents a significant potential for developing the Sharia economy on a global scale after Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, which have adopted the Sharia economy," he asserted.

The FGD, themed "The Role of Government and Sharia Financial Institutions in Creating a Safe and Reliable Digital Financial Ecosystem," is a collaboration between the Ministry of Communication and Informatics, Bank Indonesia Aceh Region, PT Pegadaian Indonesia, and stakeholders. The FGD was opened with remarks from the Head of Bank Indonesia Representative for Aceh Province, Rony Widijarto, an opening speech by the Deputy Business Director of PT Pegadaian Aceh Area Office, Rahmat Hidayat, and a keynote speech by Deputy Minister of Communication and Informatics Nezar Patria. The event continued with cross-stakeholder discussions involving local government, institutions, and various stakeholders.

With strong commitment and regulatory support, Aceh is expected to become a pioneer in implementing the digital Sharia economy in Indonesia. Strategic steps taken by the government and Sharia financial institutions will lay a solid foundation for inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

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