"We will fully focus on preparing human resources that are competent and meet the cooperatives' management needs," said Deputy Minister of Cooperatives Ferry Juliantono, following a meeting on the program’s formation on Thursday.
He highlighted the government's efforts to reduce financing risks, including collaborations with state-owned credit guarantee companies.
Juliantono also noted that financing certainty for the cooperatives has been secured through state-owned banks and the Ministry of Finance.
With these preparations in place, he expressed optimism that the cooperatives could achieve profit margins of up to 90 percent—depending on the quality of management and human resources.
He said the task force responsible for forming the cooperatives is intensifying efforts to disseminate information about the establishment process through village-level deliberations.
The Ministry of Cooperatives, he added, has prepared implementation guidelines and submitted them to relevant agencies at the district and city levels.
In addition, the Ministry of Home Affairs plans to issue a circular providing guidance for regional heads on utilizing contingency funds to create cooperative establishment certificates.
Juliantono said he is optimistic that village communities are aware of the program and are awaiting initiatives from village heads to initiate deliberations. The ministry, he added, is ready to assist in the process.
President Prabowo Subianto has issued a presidential instruction to expedite the creation of 80,000 village cooperatives nationwide.
The program is designed to strengthen food self-sufficiency, promote economic equality, and develop independent villages as part of the Golden Indonesia 2045 vision.
These cooperatives are envisioned as hubs for both economic and social services in rural areas. Their roles will include providing affordable basic food items, offering savings and loans, operating village clinics and pharmacies, and supporting logistics, cold storage, and the distribution of agricultural and fishery products.
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Translator: Shofi Ayudiana, Raka Adji
Editor: Anton Santoso
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