Financial technology (fintech) is a technological breakthrough that is changing the financial services industry by facilitating remote access, as well as increasing financial inclusivity. The Indonesian Fintech Association (AFTECH) was then formed in 2016 to accommodate fintech organizers to advocate and collaborate with stakeholders, network, and knowledge development, and provide a code of ethics to encourage technological innovation and strengthen the competitiveness of the national fintech industry. Participating in supporting the promotion of fintech in the country, Kompas Gramedia received a visit from AFTECH on Friday, February 24, 2023, at the Borobudur Room, 6th Floor of the Kompas Tower. 

Attending the visit of AFTECH Deputy Secretary General II Firlie Ganinduto, AFTECH Executive Director Mercy Simorangkir, AFTECH Policy Director Aries Setiadi, AFTECH Director of Marketing, Communications, & Community Development AFTECH Abynprima Rizki, AFTECH PR & Communications Specialist Rizky Agung Pratama, Public Relations Manager Buku Warung Maisha D. Arfani, AVP Brand & Marketing Communications Modalku Errik Jaya Tirta, Head of Public Policy and Government Relations VIDA Mohammad Irwan Setyawan,  VP Corporate Secretary Link Aja, and Indodax Business Development Manager Iqbal Firdaus.

The visit was warmly welcomed by Kompas Interagency Cooperation Director Rusdi Amral, KG Media Chief Marketing Officer Dian Gemiano, KG Corporate Communication Director Glory Oyong, GM Communication Management and Bentara Budaya Ilham Khoiri, Kompas Daily Managing Editor Andreas Maryoto, Kompas.com Managing Editor Amir Sodikin, KompasTV Editor Imam Firdaus, National Kontan Managing Editor Syamsul Ashar, Programming & Content Motion Radio Anton Wahyudi,  Editor in Chief Intisari and Managing Editor of National Geographic Indonesia Mahandis Yoanata Thamrin, and Head of PR KG Media Arrozi Effendi.

GM Communication Management & Bentara Budaya Ilham Khoiri opened the meeting by introducing Kompas Gramedia as well as introducing the leaders who were also present.  Firlie Ganinduto in his speech expressed his hope that Kompas Gramedia could collaborate in encouraging the achievement of digital financial literacy in Indonesia amidst clickbait news.

"The development of fintech in the midst of a pandemic is very rapid. Way since 2016, AFTECH has accommodated this growth with its very wide membership with over 350 members with 25 different business models. However, there are also many problems that are present along with the development of fintech, such as online loans and the lack of digital financial literacy. The relationship with Kompas Gramedia as a media partner will later encourage the achievement of digital financial literacy by communicating information to enlighten the public," said Firlie Ganinduto. 

Mercy Simorangkir added the need for cooperation in educating the public, "AFTECH not only seeks to improve digital financial literacy but has also helped OJK in educating and evaluating to increase public trust. However, it is certainly not easy to change society from non-digital to digital," he said. The AFTECH delegation continued with a brief introduction of representatives of FINTECH members, including Buku Warung, LinkAja, Modalku, VIDA, and Indodax.

Kompas's Director of Interagency Cooperation Rusdi Amral responded by saying that the relationship between Kompas Gramedia and FINTECH has long been coveted. "The presentation from AFTECH gives the impression that this is the relationship that Kompas Gramedia is looking for. In the future, it is important to focus on the collaboration model between Kompas Gramedia and AFTECH, whether education, publications, or events," he said.

In addition, KG Corporate Communication Director Glory Oyong also added that Kompas Gramedia has an extensive variety of business pillars and a massive employee network that has the potential to become a partnership. Kompas Gramedia also conveyed an overview of cooperation that can be established, such as the publication of investment risks, crypto, and online loan issues, to invitations to AFTECH to become speakers and columnists.

This activity is a form of implementation of the vision and mission of Kompas Gramedia to collaborate with various parties in an effort to enlighten the nation. Kompas Gramedia and AFTECH took advantage of this good opportunity to strengthen interagency relations and explore the potential for future cooperation to support the achievement of digital financial literacy and encourage the achievement of national financial inclusion targets and economic recovery.