Building Rural Economies to Boost National Growth

Jakarta, VIVA — The Association of Bumiputera Nusantara Entrepreneurs (Asprindo) and the Golden Village Foundation (Yayasan Desa Emas/YDE) held a meeting to follow up on their existing cooperation. The meeting was also attended by business figures from Malaysia.

The gathering aimed to jointly develop rural economies, which would not only boost national economic growth but also improve the welfare of rural communities.

Asprindo Chairman Jose Rizal stated that the relationship between Asprindo and Desa Emas had in fact been established for some time, and that the two organisations now wished to strengthen their cooperation.

“Our approach is the same — driving the economy from the ground up, from the villages. We mentor, accompany and provide training to rural communities so they can build and develop the potential that exists in their areas. We will also open market access for their superior products,” Jose said in a statement in Jakarta on Friday, 20 February 2026.

By driving regional economies, a multiplier effect would be created that would propel the economic engine not only locally but also nationally, he said.

“The economy will be strong because it is built from the bottom up. Communities will also prosper because businesses are run professionally and on a technology basis, whilst still adhering to the customary values of their respective regions,” Jose said.

Desa Emas Board of Trustees Chairman Aries Muftie said the meeting was an effort to align Asprindo’s programmes with the Golden Village Movement.

“Our vision and mission are the same — one village, one industry. Therefore, we have decided to deepen our collaboration. Asprindo has its Industrial Village programme, whilst Desa Emas has the Village Patriot and Permata programmes,” Aries said.

Moreover, he continued, the vision and mission championed by Asprindo and Desa Emas were in line with President Prabowo Subianto’s Asta Cita agenda, the majority of whose development programmes are based on the people’s economy.

“One programme that is truly relevant, albeit somewhat ambitious, is the 88,000 village and sub-district cooperatives programme,” said Aries, who served as Chairman of the Rural Industry Working Group at the National Economic and Industrial Committee (KEIN) during the 2016–2019 period.

He expressed hope that the collaboration between Asprindo and Desa Emas could help address one of Indonesia’s greatest challenges — human resource development.