SOE minister supports BRI’s bid for Bukopin’s stakes

The minister for state owned enterprises, Sofyan Djalil, said the government fully supported a bid by state bank BRI to buy shares in fellow state-owned Bank Bukopin.

“The plan is a good one for strengthening BRI,” Sofyan told reporters at his office Friday.

He said the purchase will expand BRI’s network and allow it to extend credit to companies. The bank currently only concentrates on loans for small- and medium-scale enterprises.

Sofyan said BRI management had informed him of the plan and that his office had asked BRI to conduct research into Bukopin prior to the purchase.

“I suggest that BRI not buy government shares in Bukopin because it will give it nothing,” Sofyan said. (naf)