The launch of the Cooperatives Department Employee Cooperative (KPDK) Mart at the ministry office complex coincided with the commemoration of the 76th National Cooperatives Day on July 12.
"Today, we officiate (the mini market) in the Cooperatives Ministry as a pilot for government ministries. I, along with the minister secretary and the Korpri (Indonesian Civil Servants Corps), will encourage them to open an employee-owned cooperative," Masduki stated after officiating the KPDK Mart here.
The minister said he was inspired to set up an employee cooperative in the ministry after observing a successful modern retail store managed by the cooperative of employees of a shoe product sub-contractor company that he recently visited.
He highlighted that the company's cooperative had also grown significantly and successfully improved its members' well-being.
"They also set up a savings and loan service. Hence, when a member is financially struggling or in urgent need of cash, for instance, when they need to pay hospital bills, home renovation, or school bills, they can apply for a loan there," Masduki remarked.
Masduki said he is keen to emulate the cooperative's success in all government ministries to emphasize the role of cooperatives as the backbone of the national economy.
"I hope if this pilot project is implemented in all ministry offices, cooperatives would be a competitive modern retail network," the minister remarked.
Acknowledging that most products in the KPDK Mart are currently industry-made, he explained that it is because the ministry is still studying the appropriate mechanism to include MSME products in modern retail stores.
He also highlighted that the limited production capacity of MSMEs in fulfilling the demand of modern retail stores might be one of the factors that hinder the inclusion of MSME products in retail stores.
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Translator: Kuntum Khaira R, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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