JAKARTA, July 21 (Xinhua) -- The Indonesian government launched the operation of more than 80,000 village cooperatives on Monday to strengthen grassroots economic development across the country.
The launch ceremony was led by President Prabowo Subianto in a village in Klaten regency, Central Java province.
Prabowo described the village cooperatives program as a large-scale strategic initiative designed to boost national economic growth starting from the village level.
"Many say cooperatives are for the weak. Indeed, a single cooperative may not be strong enough. But when there are hundreds of them, together they become a powerful tool to support us. This is the idea, from a weak economy to a strong economic force," Prabowo said during the ceremony.
These village cooperatives are largely formed by revitalizing existing, yet often inactive, community cooperatives. Many of them had been overlooked as people increasingly turned to large corporations for goods and services.
The current administration has moved to strengthen and modernize these cooperatives, recognizing the untapped potential of small communities to serve as engines of local economic activity.
Typically managed at the village level, Indonesian cooperatives provide a range of services including grocery stores, savings and loan units, clinics, pharmacies, cold storage, and logistics distribution.
By improving access to essential goods and services at more affordable prices, the village cooperatives are expected to play a key role in supporting community welfare and inclusive economic growth. ■
