NABIRE – The Minister of Cooperatives, Ferry Juliantono, inaugurated the Merah Putih Village Cooperative (Kopdes Merah Putih) in Atuka Village, Central Mimika District, Mimika Regency, Central Papua, on Thursday (April 9, 2026).
The presence of this village-based economic institution, established based on Presidential Instruction Number 9 of 2025 to improve community welfare through the principles of mutual cooperation and independence, has become a new symbol of the strength of the people’s economy in Central Papua.
The Chairperson of the BPD HIPMI of Central Papua Province, Yoti Gire, emphasized his commitment to collaborating to strengthen the local business ecosystem following the inauguration of Kopdes Merah Putih.
HIPMI believes the presence of the Minister of Cooperatives has given new enthusiasm to young entrepreneurs in Papua.
“The Minister’s visit is a step forward for economic revival in Mimika Regency and Central Papua Province,” said Yoti on the sidelines of the inauguration.
Yoti explained that HIPMI is currently mapping the economic potential in eight regencies across Central Papua to synergize with cooperative business entities.
The main focus of this collaboration is to ensure that Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) receive market access and sustainable development.
“We at HIPMI Central Papua will examine which potential areas will collaborate with us to ensure the survival of MSMEs,” Yoti added.
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The Red and White Kopdes in this village is a pilot project for village-based economic development combined with the entrepreneurial spirit of the younger generation.
“We hope that local communities will remain enthusiastic about developing their respective regional potential through this strategic partnership,” Yoti said.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by representatives of the Central Papua Provincial Government, the Mimika Regency Government, the Mimika Regional People’s Representative Council (DPRK), and elements of the Regional Leadership Communication Forum (Forkopimda).
“Hopefully, this synergy between the government, cooperatives, and young entrepreneurs will create new jobs for the local community,” Yoti concluded.
