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Government mulls setting up sharia economic zone in Jakarta
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Sharia economy expert Adiwarman Karim (right) delivers a speech during a discussion themed “Jakarta as the Center of Sharia Finance” in Jakarta on Jan. 25. (kompas.com/Alsadad Rudi)
T
he National Development Planning Board (Bappenas) are studying the possibility of setting up a special sharia economic zone in Jakarta.
Sharia economy expert Adiwarman Karim said Indonesia had become the world center of sharia inspired aspects of life like in finance, food and entertainment.
In terms of the Islamic finance, Adiwarman said, “the clients of sharia-based banks, Reksa Dana equity fund, pawnshops as well as insurance products have reached 40 million people, bigger than the populations of Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei and the United Arab Emirates combined.
“So, now is the right time to declare Indonesia as the center of the Islamic world’s economy, starting from Jakarta,” he said as quoted by kompas.com.
Adiwarman also said Indonesia had unique aspects in the implementation of sharia compared to other countries.
“Only in Indonesia people can find sharia-based spas and karaoke establishments. You won’t find such a thing in Malaysia or Saudi Arabia,” Adiwarman told an audience of a discussion themed “Jakarta as the Center of Sharia Finance” in Jakarta.
The discussion also had Jakarta deputy gubernatorial candidate Sandiaga Uno as a speaker.
