Bali is gearing up for Idul Fitri, the Muslim holiday marking the end of Ramadan that’s set to fall during the first week of July this year.
Because everyone needs small money to pass around to the kids leading up to the holidays, as people prepare to mudik (return to their hometowns) and spend time with their families, Bank Indonesia is getting Bali banks ready with smaller denominations.
The national bank says there’s a 14 percent increase in exchanges from last year’s Rp 3.4 trillion in Bali.
“This year is seeing an increase of about 14 percent. The increase is from Rp 3.4 trillion last year to Rp 3.7 trillion this year,” said Yazid, assistant manager of Bank Indonesia Bali Province, as quoted by Kompas.
Yazid pointed out a couple of factors that could explain the increase. Last year’s public holiday was just five days, while this year we get six. Additionally, Idul Fitri falls during school holidays, so as a tourist destination, that means more cash needed in Bali.
Bank Indonesia and nine other banks will hold change-making counters ahead of Lebaran in Puputan Denpasar, starting from June 22 until July 1, from 9am to 2pm, Yazid said.
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