Deputy Minister of Villages Assures Alfamart Will Not Close With Village Cooperatives

Jakarta — Deputy Minister of Villages and Disadvantaged Regions, Ahmad Riza Patria, has confirmed that there are no plans to close modern retail outlets in villages. However, with the development of Red and White Village Cooperatives (KDMP), it is hoped that no additional new retail outlets will be established.

The Deputy Minister stated that the government continues to promote village economies by targeting village communities to become actors and drivers of village businesses rather than remaining solely as consumers, through activities via KDMP, BUMDes (Village-Owned Enterprises), and Village SMEs.

The KDMP initiative is expected to enhance productivity, create employment opportunities, stimulate the economy, and improve the welfare of village communities. Beyond retail services, KDMP facilities are equipped with healthcare services and savings and loan cooperatives to address informal lending practices and predatory lending problems.

Currently, the development of 30,000 village cooperatives is underway from a national target of 81,000 across Indonesia. The development has been prepared and equipped with human resources and digitalisation, with a concept that meets basic community needs, supports locally-based economics, and absorbs local products, thereby differentiating it from modern retail.