Cooperatives Ministry Secretary: Villages in Central Kalimantan Must Become Economic Centres

PALANGKA RAYA - Cooperatives Ministry Secretary Ahmad Zabadi has stressed that villages in Central Kalimantan must become centres of economic activity. “It must no longer be the case that all economic activities are in the village, but the funds and resources are pulled out of the village. Economic resources must continue to circulate and develop within the village,” Zabadi said in Palangka Raya on Wednesday. He made the statement during a regional working meeting of the Central Kalimantan branch of the Indonesian Village Government Association, which was attended by hundreds of village heads from various districts. Zabadi said that if villages can become economic growth centres, it is hoped that there will be economic equity across all regions. “The ultimate goal of this equity is that we hope it can improve the welfare of the village communities themselves,” he explained. He detailed that state resources are currently being directed to encourage new economic activities in villages through the Koperasi Desa Merah Putih programme. “At the very least, it begins with state investment for every village through the construction of outlets, warehousing and other facilities,” he stated. Through the main business design of the multipurpose cooperative, including savings and loan business units, logistics and distribution, and basic necessities, it is hoped that this will spur economic activity in the villages. Central Kalimantan Governor Agustiar Sabran said efficiency does not mean reducing the quality of service to the public, but rather ensuring that every budget used truly provides the maximum benefit for the people. “Therefore, villages must start building economic independence through innovation and the management of their local potential,” he said. The Governor explained that each village has different strengths, with some strong in agriculture, plantations, fisheries, animal husbandry, tourism, the creative economy, or services. It is hoped that this potential can be managed well, so as to create jobs, increase community income, and simultaneously boost original village revenue.