"I invite all of you to come and visit our program, Balkondes, which is a village economic center," Minister Rini said in her remarks at the opening session at the event taking place at Yogyakarta`s Grand Inna Malioboro Hotel.
Yogyakarta (ANTARA News) - Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Rini Soemarno promoted the Village Economic Center, known as Balkondes, to the delegates of the 35th International Council of Women General Assembly and the National Gathering of One Thousand Indonesian Women`s Organizations here on Thursday.

"I invite all of you to come and visit our program, Balkondes, which is a village economic center," Minister Rini said in her remarks at the opening session at the event taking place at Yogyakarta`s Grand Inna Malioboro Hotel.

According to Rini, the Village Economic Center is one of the Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises` programs that aims to improve the quality of lives of rural people around the Borobudur Temple Tourism Park in Magelang District, Central Java Province.

"When I visited Borobodur, I traveled to some villages around the temple and I saw the villages remain very poor. Although we have a very beautiful historical site that has attracted people around the world to come, how can the people around it do not get any benefits?" said Rini.

The factual reality has motivated managements of the state own enterprises to initiate to assist the construction of homestay facilities in the villages as part of their corporate social responsibility programs.

Thus, local and foreign tourists can stay at the homestays and feel the atmosphere of the villages around Borobudur Temple, while the villagers gain economic benefits.

"They certainly can get income. Until now, people in the villages around the Borobudur Temple continue to make improvements," she explained.

She also invited delegates to come and enjoy the atmosphere of Balkondes.

"There are about 200 rooms in the homestay facilities, I hope you can enjoy the atmosphere there. And when you get back here for another occasion, please bring your family, so you also help the villagers` economy," she said.

The event is held by the ICW and the Indonesian Women`s Congress or Kowani, in cooperation with the Ministry of State Owned Enterprises, in which 35 state owned companies are involved in supporting the event, including Antara News Agency.

The opening session was also attended by Deputy Governor of Yogyakarta KGPAA Paku Alam, President of ICW Kim Jungsook, the wife of Governor of Yogyakarta GKR Hemas, Chairperson of the Indonesian Women`s Congress (Kowani) Giwo Rubianto Wiyogo, top government officials, several CEOs, members of board of directors, and members of board of supervisors of state-owned companies.

Reporting by Aria Cindyara
Editing by Gusti NC Aryani, Rahmad Nasution

Reporter: Antara
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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