Deputy Minister Urges MSMEs to Use Cooperatives as Primary Marketing Hub

Deputy Minister of Cooperatives Farida Farichah urged entrepreneurs, particularly micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), to use cooperatives as their main marketing outlet for their products.

“The government has introduced a major initiative to boost community economic growth through the Village/Neighbourhood Merah Putih Cooperative programme,” Farida Farichah said while attending a Fun Run event commemorating the 76th anniversary of Fatayat Nahdlatul Ulama’s founding in Purwakarta Regency, West Java, on Sunday, 24 May 2026.

According to her, the Village/Neighbourhood Merah Putih Cooperative initiative under President Prabowo Subianto’s leadership is part of efforts to maintain financial health and economic resilience for families.

She stated that cooperatives are a strategic platform for village and neighbourhood residents to build economic independence.

Therefore, the Deputy Minister urged MSME operators, including Fatayat NU members, to utilise cooperatives as their primary marketing channel.

This would enable local products to be sold directly through village cooperatives rather than relying on large shopping centres.

“MSME owners can sell their products at cooperatives. Fatayat NU members with businesses can use cooperatives as a marketing venue,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Fun Run event to commemorate Fatayat NU’s 76th anniversary was held at Purwakarta’s town square on Sunday and organised by the West Java Provincial Fatayat NU Council.

During the event, Deputy Minister Farida praised the Fun Run as part of the Fatayat NU anniversary celebrations.

She added that the activity was not merely ceremonial but part of promoting a healthy lifestyle, both physically and spiritually, including economic well-being.

Farida explained that a healthy national economy is partly determined by healthy women, as healthy women produce healthy generations. Therefore, various efforts are needed to ensure public health through exercise.

West Java Provincial Fatayat NU Chairwoman Hj Minyatul Ummah expressed gratitude to all involved for the smooth running of the 76th anniversary celebrations.

She stated that one of the goals of the Fun Run was to instil healthy living habits among the public, particularly Fatayat NU cadres in West Java.

“The event has noble aims: promoting healthy living, strengthening ties of kinship, fostering sportsmanship, and enjoying moments of togetherness and brotherhood,” she said.