Recovery of the village economy has a huge impact on revival of the national economy affected by COVID-19 pandemic. This recovery of the village economy can be achieved through BUMDes and BUMDes Bersama.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Villages, Disadvantaged Regions Development, and Transmigration Minister Abdul Halim Iskandar, in a written statement received here on Monday, invited investors to develop Village-Owned Enterprises (BUMDes) to expedite recovery of the village economy.

"Recovery of the village economy has a huge impact on revival of the national economy affected by COVID-19 pandemic. This recovery of the village economy can be achieved through BUMDes and BUMDes Bersama," Iskandar noted.

Iskandar's Ministry, along with the National Support for Local Investment Climates/National Support for Enhancing Local and Regional Economic Development (NSLIC/NSELRED), served as the bridge at the meeting between BUMDes managers from Buleleng, Klungkung, and Tabanan, Bali, and domestic and international investors.

This meeting, hosted in Legian, Bali, on Monday, is expected to expedite the development of BUMDes from those three regions.

"Let us hope that this business meeting can have a huge impact on increasing the value of village products and prospective markets, as well as improve the economy of villages throughout Indonesia," Iskandar stated at the meeting.

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During the meeting, Iskandar's Ministry encouraged 20 investors, such as Astra International and SEA Group, to witness up-close the products of some 500 farmers and craftsmen within 25 business entities in Buleleng, Klungkung, and Tabanan.

Buleleng, Klungkung, and Tabanan hold huge potential in terms of quality products, the minister stated.

However, quite akin to what most villages across Indonesia experience, these three districts have limited capability in terms of post-harvest management, product quality, and packaging in addition to encountering difficulties in reaching markets outside their regions sustainably, he explained.

This meeting is expected to be the solution for challenges that BUMDes encounter in the entire commodity chain, he stated.

"The success of this business meeting can later be replicated at several regions with quality products and applicable development partners, such as the districts of Bondowoso, Banyuwangi, Mamuju, Pandeglang, and Bengkayang," he stated.

According to Iskandar, developing the local economic potential is a form of effort to achieve the sixth goal within the Village Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which is Equitable Village Economic Growth.

In addition, it is an effort to achieve the 17th goal of Village SDGs, specifically Partnership for Village Development.

"The ministry will continue to strengthen partnership with all related stakeholders by holding such programs as this business meeting today," the minister emphasized.
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Translator: Zubi Mahrofi, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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