CIMB Niaga Posts 15 Percent Increase In Small Credits

Jakarta, Jan 21 (ANTARA) - Indonesia`s sixth largest lender in asset CIMB Niaga recorded a 15 percent increase on year to Rp16.91 trillion in credits for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in 2012. CIMB`s head of SMEs unit Sih Dianto Sundidjojo said in a statement issued here on Monday, the bank will continue the por tfolio of its credits for SMEs . The credit market is growing in SMEs in the country, Sih Dianto said, adding the segment has been relatively unaffected by the global financial crisis. "SMEs have special products and marketing strategy that the segment relatively safe from the crisis that cause a economic slowdown in various countries," he said. Most of the credits with ceilings from Rp1 billion to Rp25 billion are for the trade and manufacturing sectors, he added. The largest recipient is the Greater Jakarta area accounting for 40.9 percent , followed by East Java accounting for 15.6 percent. Outside Java the largest recipient is Sumatra receiving 18.6 percent. Sih Dianto said the competition is sharper in the SMEs credit market with more banks seeing the market potential for SMEs credit. He said CIMB Niaga is optimistic to survive in the competition as it has continued to improve the facility and services for its clients among SMEs . Access is made easier for SMEs to CIMB credits by opening more outlets in the regions. "The regulation of Bank Indonesia requiring lenders to gradually increase the credit portfolio for SMEs to at least 20 percent in 2018 is a factor pushing the bank to increase its SMEs credits from year to year," he said.