Red and White Cooperatives Drive Economic Growth at the Regional Level

Jakarta – The government’s efforts to strengthen the foundations of the people’s economy continue to show increasingly tangible results through the development of the Red and White Cooperatives, which are now expanding rapidly across various regions in Indonesia. This program serves as a strategic instrument for driving inclusive national economic growth, while simultaneously strengthening the economic independence and competitiveness of communities down to the village level.

Amidst the ever-evolving global economic dynamics, Indonesia’s economic performance in early 2026 continued to demonstrate solid resilience. National economic growth in the first quarter of 2026 was recorded at above 5 percent, driven by strong domestic consumption and increased productivity in leading sectors in the regions. In this context, the Red and White Cooperatives serve as a driving force, connecting local potential with broader and more sustainable market access.

The Head of the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), Amalia Adininggar Widyasanti, emphasized that the synergy of various people-based government programs has had a significant impact on national economic growth.

“The Free Nutritious Meal Program and the Merah Putih Village Cooperative have contributed to economic growth of 5.61 percent in the first quarter of 2026. This demonstrates that well-targeted policies can stimulate economic activity down to the village level,” he said.

He also added that strengthening the economy in rural areas is a key foundation for national economic resilience. “When villages grow and develop productively, the national economic structure will become stronger and more sustainable,” he explained.

Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs, Zulkifli Hasan, emphasized that the Merah Putih Cooperative is a strategic investment in human resource development.

“The Merah Putih Cooperative is a concrete step towards building independent, productive, and competitive village communities in the long term,” he said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Cooperatives, Farida Farichah, emphasized the government’s commitment to encouraging a modern and adaptive transformation of cooperatives.

“Strengthening cooperatives is carried out through digitalization, improving the quality of human resources, and expanding access to financing so that cooperatives can develop professionally and sustainably,” she said.

With these various achievements, the Red and White Cooperative has further confirmed its role as a main pillar driving the people’s economy and equitable distribution of national welfare.***