Govt to use sukuk for infrastructure projects

The government of Indonesia plans the issuance of rupiah-denominated sukuk next year which shall be used for financing state projects. Analysts welcome this move considering it a breakthrough in the development of the country’s undersized Islamic finance sector. According to the 2013 state budget financial note, up to Rp 1 trillion (US$103.5 million) will be borrowed by the Finance Ministry using sukuk issuance to finance state projects next year. Islamic bonds should be perceived as an alternative source of financing for the government’s infrastructure projects.