By having the cooperative as a legal entity, there will be more opportunities for people with disabilities to develop (their) business.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Ministry inaugurated the establishment of Tangguh Berdikari Indonesia Cooperative -- the first cooperative in Indonesia that facilitates people with disabilities.

The decree (SK) on the establishment of the cooperative was handed over during the Unlimited Creation Exhibition here on Tuesday.

"By having the cooperative as a legal entity, there will be more opportunities for people with disabilities to develop (their) business," Cooperatives and SMEs Minister Teten Masduki stated, as quoted from a press release.

Later, the cooperatives will become a People’s Business Credit (KUR) Cluster to facilitate the funding needs of business players.

Each business group can access credit of up to Rp500 million from the bank, so people with disabilities will be able to start their own businesses independently.

In addition, a business incubator named Indonesian Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Incubator was established during the Unlimited Creation Exhibition, which was part of the series of commemoration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, observed every December 3.

The minister has targeted that the cooperatives and incubator program will be able to develop 50 new sustainable and competitive businesses or companies managed by people with disabilities in 2023.

Furthermore, he lauded the holding of the annual Unlimited Creation program.

The program was the result of collaboration among the Cooperatives and SMEs Ministry; Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Ministry; the Indonesia Onward Cabinet’s Organization for Solidarity Actions (OASE-KIM); as well as the Indonesian Resilient Women (PTI) Foundation.

They encourage the development of a support system for persons with disabilities, an inclusive economy, as well as integrated social-economic activities to become important parts of the national economy.

Meanwhile, the Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Ministry also cooperated with the Manpower Ministry and National Professional Certification Agency (BNSP) to develop 10 special schools for people with disabilities (SLB) to become Professional Certification Institutions (LSPs).

On the same occasion, an awarding ceremony was held for four inspirational entrepreneurs with disabilities as well as auction for six paintings that won the national drawing competition for disabled people that was held as part of the Unlimited Creation Exhibition.

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Translator: Sinta Ambarwati, Uyu Liman
Editor: Sri Haryati
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