77th Cooperative Day, INKOWAPI Encourages Modernization and Transformation

JAKARTA – Cooperative present as the mainstay of the national economy. Realizing cooperatives from the people, for the people and by the people into a unified economy of empowerment towards the Advanced Cooperatives of Golden Indonesia.

In commemorating the 77th National Cooperative Day this year, the Chairperson of the Indonesian Women Entrepreneurs Cooperative Association (INKOWAPI) Sharmila Yahya hopes that cooperatives will become the main pillar in driving the wheels of the community’s economy which can realize the welfare of its members.

“We will revive the vision, mission and role of the late Bung Hatta as the Father of Cooperatives and Bustanil Arifin, Minister of Cooperatives of Indonesia for the period 1978-1993 in driving cooperatives as self-reliance to increase economic potential down to the village level,” said Sharmila in her statement, Tuesday (9/7/2024).

For that, through her role as Chairperson of INKOWAPI, Sharmila encourages cooperatives in all regions to develop in modernization and transformation in realizing Indonesia Emas 2045. One of the keys is the synergy and integration of cooperatives with various financial elements. “Collaboration is a joint effort to realize the sovereignty of Indonesian cooperatives,” she said.

It is recorded that until June 2024, INKOWAPI has facilitated as many as 300,000 food posts in the capital sector. According to the Founder of Sahabat Usaha Rakyat (SAHARA), capital is important in encouraging the continuity and sustainability of cooperatives.

“In this modern era, cooperatives must develop as elements of education, training and marketing. Including becoming a provider of capital for the micro and small business sector for the success of its members’ businesses,” explained the woman who was recently named the Top 100 Indonesia Inspring Woman Award 2024.

In addition, for the sake of the glory of Indonesian cooperatives in the future, the Chair of the Permanent Committee for Entrepreneurship of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry proposed that the next government appoint a Minister who has a figure from the cooperative movement.

“Cooperatives must have a big role in the target of achieving Indonesia Emas 2045. This effort can be realized when the leader also has the same spirit,” hoped the recipient of the Satya badge for Development in the Cooperative and SME Sector in 2013.

(nng)