Indonesia eyes global market for village cooperatives
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s Ministry of Trade is ready to facilitate village cooperatives in penetrating export markets, Trade Minister Budi Santoso said on Thursday.
He noted that the government has overseen the inaugural export of processed cocoa products by a cooperative under the Red and White Village Cooperatives (KDMP) program in Jembrana, Bali, marking the first step for village-based cooperatives into the global market.
The ministry will provide entrepreneurship training for cooperative employees and members, including specialized programs to help them meet international export standards, Santoso said.
“We want exports to originate not only from cities, but from villages as well,” he remarked.
He emphasized that village cooperatives hold significant potential, serving not only as minimarkets and suppliers of agricultural inputs but also as developers of flagship village products with export value.
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The minister added that his ministry would support cooperatives through Indonesia’s trade representatives abroad, including by facilitating business matching programs to broaden export networks.
Beyond direct facilitation, Santoso pointed to the expansion of international trade agreements as another strategy to boost national exports.
He noted that several trade agreements were finalized last year, including the Indonesia–European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IEU-CEPA) and the Indonesia–Canada CEPA, both targeted for implementation this year.
In parallel, the ministry is running a “From Local to Global” campaign to encourage micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to enter export markets.
Santoso reported that the government facilitated around 1,200 MSMEs last year, generating transactions worth US$134.8 million, with approximately 70 percent of the businesses becoming first-time exporters.
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Indonesia eyes global market for village cooperatives
February 26, 2026 21:55 GMT+700
File photo - Container trucks transport coconut shell charcoal for export from a village cooperative to China in Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, on February 21, 2026. (ANTARA/La Ode Muh Deden Saputra)
Translator: Shofi Ayudiana, Raka Adji