LPDB Koperasi and MUI Promote Local Economy through Strengthening Productive Cooperatives in East Seram

East Seram, VIVA – The commitment to strengthening community-based cooperative economies is becoming increasingly tangible. Following up on the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Cooperatives and the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), LPDB Koperasi is present directly in East Seram Regency (SBT), Maluku Province, to explore and accelerate local economic potential through revolving fund financing schemes and institutional strengthening of cooperatives, including the Merah Putih Village/Urban Ward Cooperatives (KDKMP).

This step is part of concrete efforts to position cooperatives as the engine of regional economic growth, particularly in areas with substantial natural resource potential that has yet to be optimally managed. SBT is considered to possess extraordinary wealth, ranging from the fisheries sector, sago, wood processing, maritime activities, to renewable energy potential based on coastal resources that are ready to be developed through a modern cooperative ecosystem.

The Director General and Legal of LPDB Koperasi, Deva Rachman, emphasised that LPDB’s presence is not merely about disbursing financing, but about building a strong and sustainable cooperative ecosystem.

“LPDB is present as a state instrument to strengthen cooperatives. We do not only disburse revolving funds, but also provide mentoring and business incubation. This year, we have a disbursement target of Rp2.1 trillion, and we see East Seram having great potential to be part of that acceleration,” said Deva.

He explained that LPDB offers financing with competitive rates for both conventional and sharia schemes, without provisioning or administrative fees. This scheme is expected to encourage cooperatives to grow as independent and professional business entities.

Furthermore, Deva highlighted various business development opportunities based on cooperatives in SBT, from sago downstreaming, fish processing, eco-tourism development, to mangrove utilisation for carbon trading. Even sectors such as energy, like the construction of Solar Power Plants (PLTS) to seawater desalination, are considered viable future cooperative business models.

In addition, in this initial stage, KDKMP in the area will be encouraged to access LPDB Koperasi’s revolving funds to accelerate local potential, such as the wood processing industry exported to Turkey, which has already involved KDKMP in Bula Subdistrict, as well as solar power plant development and vannamei shrimp farming.