"This realization of village funding in West Sumatra has exceeded the average," Director of General Transfer Funding at the Directorate General of Fiscal Balance at the ministry Adriyanto stated in Padang, West Sumatra, on Monday.
According to Adriyanto, such achievement of village funding allocation showcases the integrity and commitment of West Sumatra's officials in utilizing the budget.
He delivered the statement during a workshop on village empowerment and village-owned enterprises, hosted by Andalas University.
He remarked that the budget for villages, allocated by the central government, can also be used as capital for village-owned enterprises to develop their businesses further.
However, the management of these enterprises and village officials should also ensure that the budget for development of village companies should not be excessive, as it would compromise funding for other programs.
Staff for Public Development and Human Resources at the West Sumatra Government Erinaldi stated that in 2023, the central government had granted the province Rp950 billion (US$ 63.1 million) in the village budget.
The government utilizes village funding as an effort towards driving national economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic, which is prioritized on some aspects, such as formulation, revitalization, and development of village-owned enterprises, he explained.
In West Sumatra, some of the enterprises managed to clock achievements on a national scale, as some showcased themselves as inspirational companies, with Lubuak Malako, a company owned by nagari, a settlement unit of West Sumatra, as an example, according to Erinaldi.
Head of Talang Babungo Nagari of Solok District Hafizhur Rahman was also selected as ambassador of village-owned enterprises on a national scale, he remarked.
"This serves as real proof that West Sumatra Province can compete and win above other provinces," he concluded.
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Translator: M Zulfikar, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Sri Haryati
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