Wamena, Papua Pegunungan – Efforts to strengthen the community economy to the village level continue to be carried out by the Jayawijaya Regency Government (Pemkab). One of the strategic steps that is now encouraged is the development of the Red and White Village/Sub-district Cooperative network (KDKMP) which is targeted to be present at 18 points in the region.
The presence of Merah Putih Cooperative outlets is expected to be a means for the community to gain easier access to various economic needs as well as open up business opportunities that can improve the welfare of residents.
The Regent of Jayawijaya, Atenius Murib, said that the local government has prepared 18 locations that will be the center of the people’s cooperative activities. According to him, this program is part of an effort to strengthen the people’s economy based on the potential of the local community.
“We have determined 18 points where the Merah Putih Village Cooperative outlet will be built in Jayawijaya to help the community’s economy,” said Atenius Murib in Wamena, Sunday.
He explained that the step is a follow-up to the launch of the Merah Putih Cooperative outlet which had previously been carried out with the Papua Pegunungan Provincial Government in Walak Village, Asologaima District, earlier this year.
The existence of cooperative outlets is considered not only to be a place for economic transactions, but also plays a role as a community empowerment center. Through cooperatives, residents are expected to be able to develop productive businesses, strengthen the local trade sector, and gain better access to various economic services.
According to Atenius, the physical development of the Red and White Cooperative outlet will be carried out by the central government through related ministries and institutions. Meanwhile, the local government plays a role in preparing land and supporting the smooth implementation of the program in the field.
“The construction of the Merah Putih Cooperative outlet will be carried out by the central government. We in the region facilitate the land that will later be used to build the people’s cooperative,” he said.
The Jayawijaya Regency Government welcomed the national program of the Merah Putih Cooperative because it was considered in line with the efforts to increase the economic independence of the community, especially in the inland area of the Mountainous Papua which still needs to strengthen access to economic and trade services.
In addition to encouraging the growth of micro and small businesses, the presence of cooperatives is also expected to help the absorption of community production, including agricultural products, livestock, and household businesses that have been a source of livelihood for residents.
With the target of building 18 outlets in various Jayawijaya regions, the government hopes that the benefits of this program can be felt evenly by the community. The presence of the Merah Putih Cooperative is expected to be the driving force of the local economy that is able to increase residents’ income as well as strengthen the resilience of the regional economy in the Papua Mountains.
