Jakarta — The government continues to strengthen the role of cooperatives as drivers of the people’s economy through the development of the Merah Putih Village/Sub-district Cooperative, which is positioned as an integrated village economic service center as well as a national distribution hub to strengthen local products and community welfare in a sustainable, inclusive national manner.
Minister of Cooperatives (Menkop) Ferry Juliantono said that village cooperatives are positioned as complete economic service centers that are close to the community, so synergy with Hipmi Yogyakarta is needed to strengthen the existence of Kopdes Merah Putih.
“Village cooperatives serve as comprehensive economic service centers close to the community. Therefore, we invite Hipmi Yogyakarta to collaborate to strengthen the Red and White Village Cooperative,” Ferry said at the 2026 Regional Business Forum held by the Yogyakarta Regional Executive Board (DPD) of Hipmi.
According to him, the Merah Putih Village/Sub-district Cooperative is designed as a complete economic service center, starting from providing basic necessities, health services, financing, warehousing, to managing local potential.
“Together with Hipmi, we will curate local Yogyakarta products and other local brands, so that we can quickly fill the Red and White Village Office,” said Cooperatives Minister Ferry.
Ferry also stated that the government plays a role as a regulator and facilitator in the development of modern cooperatives. The Red and White Village Cooperatives (Kopdes Merah Putih) are designed to shorten the long supply chain so that added economic value is returned to producers and village communities in a sustainable manner.
“By introducing the Hub Cooperative and the Merah Putih Village Cooperative as connecting nodes, distribution becomes more efficient, prices are more affordable, and the welfare of small-scale entrepreneurs improves,” said Ferry.
Ferry also assessed the importance of cross-sector collaboration with young entrepreneurs, MSMEs, and strategic partners so that the Red and White Village Cooperative can adapt to current developments and utilize digital technology.
“Through government policy support and collaboration with the younger generation, Kopdes Merah Putih is expected to become a driving force for a modern, inclusive, and sustainable village economy,” said Ferry.
Strengthening the Red and White Village Cooperatives, Ferry added, begins with mapping local potential, optimizing it to become a productive economy, and acting as a hub that absorbs production, manages distribution, and carries out value-added downstreaming for the community.
By strengthening the role of the Red and White Village Cooperatives as economic service centers and national distribution hubs, the government is optimistic that the welfare of village communities will improve equitably, while simultaneously strengthening the foundation of a people-based national economy. [-RWA]