Bandarlampung Reports 65 Red and White Village Cooperatives Now Operational

The Bandarlampung City Government has stated that 65 Merah Putih Village/Sub-district Cooperatives (KDKMP) in the city have begun operating various business units to meet community needs.

“There are 120 KDKMPs formed in this city, and approximately 65 cooperatives have already started operating their business outlets,” said the Head of the Bandarlampung City Cooperatives and SMEs Office, Riana Apriana, in Bandarlampung on Saturday.

She noted that the operational cooperative outlets are in various states of infrastructure. Some occupy permanent buildings, while others utilise sub-district offices, borrowed buildings, or rented premises.

“It is true that not all operational cooperatives have permanent buildings yet,” she said.

She added that the active KDKMPs are running various types of businesses, ranging from the sale of rice, LPG, and MSME products to drinking water and other basic necessities.

“However, cooperatives that have not yet opened businesses are facing obstacles, specifically limited capital. A number of cooperatives are still prioritising savings and loan services before expanding into trading units,” she explained.

Nevertheless, she continued, the Bandarlampung City Government is continuously providing guidance so that the established cooperatives can gradually open more businesses, ensuring the benefits can be felt by the community.

“The existence of the Merah Putih Cooperatives is certainly able to drive growth and stimulate the community’s economy. Besides providing access to savings and loan services, these cooperatives also serve as a platform for marketing MSME products at prices that are more affordable than market rates,” she said.