This initiative is expected to shift the direction and paradigm of the national economic system, from a neoliberal orientation to one that is more pro-people.
At the Cooperative Driving Force event in Brebes, Central Java, on Friday, Juliantono explained that forming these village cooperatives is not solely the responsibility of the Cooperatives Ministry but also involves collaboration among 18 ministries and agencies through a special task force.
The Task Force for the Acceleration of Red and White Village Cooperative Formation is tasked with ensuring that village residents become the main recipients of all state resources allocated to the villages.
"It is hoped that there will be growth in the villages, in terms of economy, social, and others. In fact, issues in the village, such as middlemen, loan sharks, and online loans, will be resolved with Red and White Village Cooperatives," he remarked as quoted from the ministry's statement.
The deputy minister stated that the establishment of 80 thousand village cooperatives has been fully completed. The next stage, which is operational implementation, will begin from July to October and is expected to present a greater challenge.
In addition to the village cooperatives, he affirmed that his ministry would focus on national downstreaming efforts.
The Ministry of Cooperatives will encourage cooperatives to participate more actively in the industrial sector, even venturing into unexplored areas, for instance, dairy cooperatives with their milk processing plants.
The ministry is also currently drafting a new Cooperatives Law, as Law Number 25 of 1992 is deemed no longer relevant as a guideline for the development of cooperatives in Indonesia.
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Translator: Shofi Ayudiana, Raka Adji
Editor: Primayanti
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