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BI, Navy team up to distribute banknotes in West Nusa Tenggara
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Services for the people: A Bank Indonesia (BI) officer carries packages of banknotes onto the KRI Sidat warship, which departed on March 20 for the central bank's cash service expedition for people on islands across the province. The KRI Sidat carries 18 BI officers and cash amounting to Rp 18.5 billion (US$1.35 million) to the islands of Kangean, Sapeken, Kalambau, Matasiri and Karumputan.
(Antara/Didik Suhartono)
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joint team of bankers and Indonesian Navy personnel has been dispatched to circulate rupiah banknotes on small islands across the province of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), allowing the islanders to exchange old or broken money.
The team of representatives from Bank Indonesia (BI) and conventional banks as well as medical and security personnel from the Hiu 634 warship are carrying cash amounting to Rp 2 billion (US$140,000).
BI NTB office payment system team head Ocky Ganesia said the team, slated to be in the field from Monday until April 14, would visit several small islands, such as Moyo, Pusu and Medang in Sumbawa.
“We will accept all money exchanged by the locals, whether it is shabby, damaged or out-of-circulation,” Ocky said on Tuesday.
He added that his team had been coordinating with local administrations and leaders on each island to spread the word about the expedition, which aimed to improve access to banking services for residents of small islands.
Apart from replacing old banknotes, the team will also hold seminars at schools on the islands about central bank programs and provide books and sport equipment for 13 schools.
“The medical team will provide free medical checkups on each island,” BI NTB office head Achris Sarwani said.
NTB is comprised of two major islands – Lombok and Sumbawa – and has more than 280 small islands, around 48 of which are inhabited. (kuk/ebf)
