Bekasi. Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, in her role as the UN Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development (UNSGSA), visited a low-income housing complex in Bekasi, West Java, on Wednesday to observe Indonesia’s mortgage system for lower-income households.

Queen Máxima listened closely as Bank Tabungan Negara (BTN) -- Indonesia’s flagship mortgage bank -- explained its housing-credit distribution model, along with input from developers and borrowers receiving BTN-financed loans.

She also watched a mortgage signing ceremony at the Grand Harmoni housing estate in Cibitung.

“Her Majesty asked how the mortgage agreement is created and whether borrowers are properly informed about their obligations. Her main concern was whether families are taught to manage finances -- separating mortgage payments from daily spending,” BTN President Director Nixon Napitupulu said on site.

Nixon also presented BTN’s initiative encouraging debtors to convert recyclable household waste into savings, which can then be used to reduce monthly mortgage installments.

“Customers can save up to Rp 200,000 ($12) through household waste recycling, and this can reduce monthly installments by 10–15 percent. It helps the family budget while also supporting a cleaner and greener environment,” he said.

According to Nixon, Queen Máxima paid particular attention to programs that encourage financial literacy and a culture of saving among lower-income homebuyers.

BTN expressed pride in being one of the key institutions selected during the Queen’s financial-inclusion mission.

“Not every bank in Indonesia receives this level of attention. We are proud that BTN and the housing projects we finance are being recognized internationally,” Nixon said.

Queen Máxima is conducting a four-day visit to Indonesia as UNSGSA through November 27. On Tuesday, she traveled to Central Java to meet batik-making communities in Solo and visit a garment factory in Sragen to learn about financial management programs for workers.

On the final day of her mission, Queen Máxima will join a financial literacy event with the Financial Services Authority (OJK) and meet President Prabowo Subianto to present her findings and impressions from the visit.

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