“We all want to see an Indonesia that is not only advanced in technology but also economically just and sovereign,” he said during an event held to commemorate the 78th National Cooperatives Day (Harkopnas) here on Saturday.
According to the minister, cooperatives can play a significant role in building an economically sovereign nation.
“We cannot realize Golden Indonesia while leaving the people behind. We need strong, independent, and sustainable cooperatives,” he reiterated.
He emphasized that to promote economic inclusion, cooperatives should not only grow in number but also become an integral pillar of society.
Setiadi further said that cooperatives remain highly relevant and strategic for realizing the Asta Cita or eight main missions of President Prabowo Subianto’s administration.
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Cooperatives can support the missions related to agriculture, food self-sufficiency, agro-maritime industry development, and local wisdom.
The Red and White Village Cooperatives program is supporting efforts to develop rural areas, achieve economic equity, and eradicate extreme poverty, he added.
As of 2024, Indonesia has 131,617 active cooperatives with nearly 30 million members, meaning one in ten Indonesians are members of cooperatives.
The total business volume of the cooperatives has reached Rp214 trillion or around US$13.1 billion, accounting for nearly one percent of the national gross domestic product (GDP), showing that cooperatives have significant potential for further growth.
Setiadi also highlighted the urgent need to address the development gap between urban and rural areas.
At the same time, villages hold huge potential across sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, handicrafts, tourism, and renewable energy. There are 66,002 villages in the country where the majority of residents work in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries.
“This is the potential that must be managed properly and responsibly,” the minister said.
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Translator: Alatas, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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