Minister of Social Affairs and Minister of Religion Sign MoU to Empower the Economy of the People through Ponpes and Mosque Cooperatives
JAKARTA - Minister of Cooperatives (Menkop) Ferry Juliantono together with Minister of Religion (Menag) Nasaruddin Umar agreed to work together to empower the economy of the people in Indonesia through the formation and development of cooperatives.
"With this cooperation, we will continue to encourage the development of cooperatives in the environment of pesantren and mosques, by carrying out incubation, business assistance, to access financing through the Cooperative LPDB," said Ferry, Tuesday, December 16.
According to Ferry, there are already many Ponpes that have cooperatives, even with a turnover of trillions of rupiah.
"In various regions, many pesantren have been able to develop cooperatives to meet internal needs, support the independence of institutions, and support the economic activities of the surrounding community," he explained.
In practice, continued Ferry, not a few pesantren act as foster brothers for cooperatives and businesses in their environment, thus giving a real economic impact.
Ferry gave an example of the existence of Al Ittifaq Cooperative in Bandung Regency, which has partnered with pesantren, farmers, and other cooperatives ranging from production planning, agricultural and livestock cultivation, to processing results.
The cooperative then acts as a consolidator and offtaker that absorbs products, manages packaging, and markets through the market network that has been built.
"This pattern provides certainty of absorption, increases the added value of products, and maintains business sustainability," said Ferry.
More than that, the Minister of Religion also invited the Ministry of Religion to build and develop cooperatives in the environment of mosques throughout Indonesia.
"I believe that Kopontren and mosque cooperatives can become a driving force for the economy in their region," said the Minister of Coordinating Human Development and Culture.
The Minister of Coordinating Human Development and Culture added that this Memorandum of Understanding is also a basis for cooperation in synergizing policies to empower the community through cooperatives, as well as encouraging the formation and development of cooperatives in the environment of places of worship, madrasahs, religious education units, pesantren, and religious universities.
In addition, this cooperation includes the use of data and information, the improvement of institutional capacity and human resources, the development of cooperative businesses, and the digitization of cooperative services. On the same occasion, the Minister of Religion emphasized the importance of programs to empower the economy of the people through vocational education and cooperatives. "In the future, we must prepare the people who have talents for their future. All must be taught at Ponpes to build the multi-talented youth," said the Minister of Religion.
English:
In addition, this cooperation includes the use of data and information, the improvement of institutional capacity and human resources, the development of cooperative businesses, and the digitization of cooperative services.
On the same occasion, the Minister of Religion emphasized the importance of programs to empower the community through vocational education and cooperatives.
"In the future, we must prepare people who have talents for their future. Everything must be taught at Ponpes to build the multi-talented youth," said the Minister of Religion.