"My visit was intended to monitor and supervise progress in the Red and White Village Cooperatives program. We want everything to run smoothly and optimally," he noted in a statement cited in West Lombok on Monday.
Head of West Lombok District Lalu Ahmad Zaini stated that the deputy minister’s visit demonstrated the central government’s support for his region in advancing the implementation of the national program.
He expressed hope that the visit would encourage local stakeholders to strengthen the governance of village cooperatives, ensuring these business entities operate professionally to bring direct economic benefits to residents.
"This visit certainly motivates us all to continue developing West Lombok District," Zaini remarked.
President Prabowo Subianto initiated the cooperatives program as a strategic effort to help citizens in rural areas run businesses, improve their living standards, access affordable essential goods, and avoid loan sharks and middlemen.
On July 21, the president launched around 80 thousand village cooperatives nationwide in Klaten District, Central Java, with 108 designated as pilot models for the program’s initial phase.
These pilot models are intended to serve as benchmarks for other cooperatives preparing to commence operations, with their number expected to reach 10 thousand by August, according to Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan.
Three of the 108 pilot cooperatives are located in NTB, including one in Kekeri Village, Gunungsari Sub-district. The Kekeri Village Cooperative has partnered with several state-owned enterprises to provide villagers with affordable fertilizers, gas, banking services, chickens, and even furniture.
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Translator: Sugiharto P, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Primayanti
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