BNI spends Rp71.6B on creative industries

State-owned bank PT Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI) reportedly has spent Rp71.6 billion ($7.23 million) since 2008 to help the creative industry, The Jakarta Post reported.

“We believe the creative industry is a potential sector,” BNI spokesman Gatot Surjatmodjo said in Jakarta.

He said most of the funds were disbursed to five creative sub-sectors —handicrafts (Rp18.6 billion), fashion (Rp9.92 billion), computer and software (Rp8.85 billion), film, video and photography (Rp8.71 billion) and design (Rp8.04 billion).

Surjatmodjo added the bank has also developed three BNI creative villages, including BNI Tenun Ikat Village in Palembang, South Sumatra, with each village had absorbed Rp2 billion from the bank.