Bank Mandiri Expands Mandiri Sahabatku Program to Ansan, South Korea

Empowering Indonesian Migrant Workers Through Financial Education

Bank Mandiri has launched its Mandiri Sahabatku program in Ansan, South Korea, marking a significant step in empowering Indonesian migrant workers (PMI) through comprehensive financial education and empowerment initiatives. The program, which was attended by 183 participants from various regions including Indramayu, Cilacap, Ponorogo, Malang, and Lampung, primarily working in the manufacturing sector, underscores Mandiri's commitment to strengthening grassroots economics and improving the quality of human resources.

Comprehensive Financial Training for Sustainable Impact

The event featured multiple training sessions focusing on different aspects of financial management and business development:

1. Financial Literacy: Bank Mandiri provided training on structured personal financial management, emphasizing the importance of separating daily expense accounts from business capital accounts. This training enabled participants to start business planning early.
2. Stock Investment: Mandiri Sekuritas delivered sessions on developing long-term asset strategies tailored to participants' risk profiles, with Director of Retail Mandiri Sekuritas, Theodora V. Manik, highlighting the importance of discipline and risk understanding in building healthy investment portfolios.
3. Business Opportunities in Fisheries Sector: FisTx, a startup facilitator, introduced participants to business models including offtaker arrangements and upstream-downstream partnerships, providing insights into specially designed fisheries business packages.

Strategic Alignment with National Development Goals

The Mandiri Sahabatku program aligns closely with President Prabowo's Asta Cita agenda, particularly in enhancing human resource quality, empowering MSMEs, and strengthening family economics. By equipping PMI with financial planning skills, investment knowledge, and business opportunities, the program creates a sustainable impact that extends beyond their stay abroad.

Digital Integration Enhancing Service Delivery

As part of Bank Mandiri's ongoing digital transformation, the Mandiri Sahabatku program is now integrated with the Livin' Around The World (LATW) service, allowing Indonesian migrant workers to access digital banking services easily. Through the Livin' by Mandiri application, participants can open accounts using their local SIM cards, conduct cross-border transactions, and start investing securely.

Program Legacy and Future Prospects

Since its inception in 2011, Mandiri Sahabatku has reached over 21,000 participants across various countries including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea. The program continues to support financial inclusion, strengthen grassroots economics, and promote ESG principles and SDGs achievement. By providing both immediate financial education and long-term economic empowerment, Mandiri Sahabatku creates lasting impact for returning migrant workers and their families.