JAKARTA — PT Bank Syariah Indonesia Tbk (BSI) has reinforced its dedication to driving national economic growth through strategic support of the halal tourism sector. The institution is actively strengthening the halal ecosystem in West Nusa Tenggara, a region recognized as one of the World’s Best Halal Tourism Destinations.

Strategic Partnership with International Sporting Event

This year marks BSI’s continued involvement in supporting the MotoGP Mandalika 2025 international racing tournament, held October 3-5. The bank views this annual international event, which attracts racers from numerous countries, as a crucial gateway for revitalizing Indonesia’s halal tourism industry.

The strategic timing aligns with Indonesia’s ambitious target of welcoming 14.6-16 million international tourists in 2025 and restoring the tourism sector’s contribution to economic growth above the 5% threshold.

“In alignment with the government’s vision to position Indonesia as a world-class halal tourism destination, BSI stands ready to collaborate with all stakeholders to collectively transform tourism into a potential sector driving national economic expansion,” stated BSI President Director Anggoro Eko Cahyo in a written statement Sunday (October 5, 2025).

Long-Term Vision for Islamic Economic Leadership

As part of Indonesia’s long-term national strategy to become the global center of Islamic economics by 2030, BSI is positioning itself as the locomotive for halal tourism growth. The bank’s comprehensive approach extends beyond financial services to encompass social and spiritual dimensions that align with Islamic values.

Comprehensive Religious Facilities at MotoGP Venue

During MotoGP 2025, BSI implemented extensive religious infrastructure to accommodate Muslim attendees. The bank established four prayer facilities (musala) throughout the circuit arena, strategically located at Grandstand B, Grandstand J, and the VIP Deluxe parking area.

The prayer facilities include three portable prayer rooms and one mobile prayer vehicle from BSI, collectively providing capacity for more than 150 worshippers. This infrastructure ensures that Muslim spectators can fulfill their religious obligations while enjoying the sporting event.

Additionally, BSI deployed a mobile cash vehicle and information booth to provide Islamic financial literacy education to MotoGP Mandalika visitors, demonstrating the bank’s commitment to comprehensive customer engagement.

Beyond Financial Services: Social and Spiritual Partnership

Anggoro emphasized that BSI’s presence transcends traditional financial services. “BSI appears not only as a financial partner, but as a social and spiritual companion supporting customers in performing good deeds aligned with Islamic values,” he explained.

This holistic approach reflects the bank’s understanding that Islamic banking encompasses more than transactional relationships, extending to community welfare and spiritual well-being.

Empowering Local Businesses and Communities

Beyond its MotoGP support, BSI actively promotes micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in tourism regions to generate multiplier effects for regional economic development. These initiatives include MSME development and regional economic empowerment through the Desa BSI (Bangun Sejahtera Indonesia) program, which translates to “Build Prosperous Indonesia Villages.”

The bank strengthens MSME capacity and capability through BSI UMKM Centers, currently operating in four major cities: Aceh, Yogyakarta, Surabaya, and Makassar. These locations were strategically selected based on high MSME concentration and their status as prominent tourism destinations throughout Indonesia.

Strategic Focus on Tourism Destinations

The selection of these four cities demonstrates BSI’s strategic approach to maximizing impact. Each location serves as a significant tourism hub while hosting substantial MSME populations that can benefit from enhanced financial services and business development support.

Aceh offers rich Islamic heritage tourism opportunities, Yogyakarta serves as a cultural and educational center, Surabaya functions as a major commercial gateway, and Makassar provides access to eastern Indonesian tourism destinations. By establishing centers in these strategic locations, BSI creates a network supporting halal tourism infrastructure across the archipelago.

Multiplier Effects on Regional Economies

The bank’s MSME support initiatives aim to create sustainable economic benefits extending beyond individual businesses. By strengthening local enterprises in tourism regions, BSI helps ensure that international tourist spending circulates within local communities, creating jobs, improving livelihoods, and building economic resilience.

This approach aligns with Islamic economic principles emphasizing equitable wealth distribution and community prosperity. The Desa BSI program specifically targets rural and underserved areas, bringing banking services and business development support to communities that might otherwise lack access to such resources.

Contributing to National Tourism Goals

Indonesia’s tourism sector represents a critical component of economic development strategy. The country competes globally as a Muslim-friendly destination, leveraging its position as the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation. West Nusa Tenggara, particularly the Mandalika area, has emerged as a flagship halal tourism destination, offering pristine beaches, cultural attractions, and comprehensive Islamic hospitality infrastructure.

BSI’s involvement in MotoGP Mandalika demonstrates how strategic partnerships between financial institutions, government agencies, and international events can create synergies advancing multiple objectives simultaneously. The racing event attracts international visitors, showcases Indonesian hospitality, and provides platforms for promoting Islamic banking services and halal tourism opportunities.

Islamic Banking as Tourism Enabler

The relationship between Islamic banking and halal tourism extends beyond surface-level connections. Islamic financial institutions like BSI understand the specific needs of Muslim travelers and can develop specialized products and services addressing those requirements. This includes Shariah-compliant travel financing, currency exchange services adhering to Islamic principles, and partnerships with halal-certified hospitality providers.

By positioning itself prominently at major tourism events like MotoGP Mandalika, BSI increases awareness of Islamic banking options among both domestic and international visitors. This visibility helps normalize Islamic financial services and demonstrates their applicability to contemporary lifestyles, including leisure and tourism activities.

Looking Forward: Building Sustainable Halal Tourism Infrastructure

As Indonesia progresses toward its 2030 goal of becoming the global Islamic economic center, institutions like BSI play crucial roles in building the necessary infrastructure. Halal tourism represents just one component of this broader ecosystem, but it serves as a highly visible and impactful sector capable of attracting international attention and investment.

The success of events like MotoGP Mandalika, supported by comprehensive Islamic facilities and services, creates templates for future developments. Other regions and events can learn from this model, implementing similar infrastructure and partnerships to enhance Muslim-friendly tourism offerings.

BSI’s multifaceted approach—combining financial services, religious facilities, MSME support, and community development—exemplifies integrated Islamic economic development. Rather than treating these elements as separate initiatives, the bank recognizes their interconnections and leverages synergies to maximize impact.

Conclusion

Bank Syariah Indonesia’s support for MotoGP Mandalika 2025 represents more than corporate sponsorship. It demonstrates a comprehensive strategy for advancing halal tourism, Islamic banking, and regional economic development simultaneously. By providing essential religious infrastructure, financial literacy education, and MSME support, BSI positions itself as a true partner in Indonesia’s journey toward becoming a premier global halal tourism destination and Islamic economic center.

As international tourism recovers and grows, Indonesia’s competitive advantages—including its large Muslim population, natural beauty, cultural richness, and increasingly sophisticated halal tourism infrastructure—position it favorably in the global market. Financial institutions like BSI, committed to supporting this sector holistically, will play essential roles in realizing the nation’s ambitious tourism and Islamic economic goals.

Original Article:

Sindonews. (2025, October 6). BSI Dukung Pariwisata Halal Melalui MotoGP Mandalika 2025. Retrieved from https://ekbis.sindonews.com/read/1628923/34/bsi-dukung-pariwisata-halal-melalui-motogp-mandalika-2025-1759669822