President Hopes Indonesian Cooperatives to Rank in Global Top 100

President Jokowi opens the National Cooperatives Day at Indonesia Convention Exhibition (ICE) BSD, Tangerang, Banten, Thursday (12/7) (Photo: PR/Oji)

Cooperatives in Indonesia should learn from the best cooperatives in the world so one day national cooperatives can rank the 100 or 300 global top cooperatives.

The statement was enunciated by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo in a remarks during the peak commemoration of 71^st National Cooperatives Day 2018 and Dissemination of Final Income Tax (PPh) for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) 0.5 Percent, at the Indonesia Convention Exhibition (ICE) BSD, Tangerang, Banten, Thursday (12/7).

“I had already mentioned, Kospin (Credit Union) JASA has conducted an Initial Public Offering (IPO). I also know that circulation of money in Sidogiri Cooperative is more than Rp16 trillion. Other cooperatives must follow them,” the President said.

President Jokowi also mentioned Fonterra, a Cooperative Group of New Zealand engaged in milk and dairy products, owned by around 10,500 New Zealand farmers, with a revenue of NZ$17.2 billion (Rp165 trillion) per year.

“You can visit Fonterra. (Learning) How it started, how it developed to Rp165 trillion business per year. Stay there for a week or two or three for a comparative study,” President Jokowi added.

The President asserted that Indonesians are experts in copying and imitating. However, it is not a problem when they can modify the cooperatives and top the Fonterra. “Copy, and modify, then we can make a leap,” he added.

With a revenue of Rp165 trillion per year, Fonterra considered the biggest enterprise in New Zealand.

“We want there is also one biggest enterprise in Indonesia, and it must be a cooperative. Pak Minister and Head of the Indonesian Cooperative Council, please take cooperatives to New Zealand, but not for shopping. Study and learn how they manage the cooperative and turn it into the biggest enterprise in New Zealand,” the Head of State said.

According to President Jokowi, the cooperative must indeed be a vessel, but in a large economic scale, with efficient production and distribution.

In fact, the President believes cooperative must be a vessel for innovation, and drive the innovation to generate good production, to make good product variations, innovation how to make good packaging, and to market existing products.

Cooperatives, the President added, should be a place for the members to learn about marketing, packaging, and product variation.

“This is an economic system of mutual cooperation that we want to develop continuously. Collect and disseminate knowledge of current information, as well as develop new skills among members of cooperative,” President Jokowi explained.

Regarding Final Income Tax (PPh) for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) that is set at 0.5 percent from the previous 1 percent, President Jokowi admitted that it was done because he received many complaints from the people.

“Because the rate is lowered to 0.5 percent from the previous 1 percent, I call on all people to pay taxes,” President Jokowi said.

Attending the event were Coordinating Minister for the Economy Darmin Nasution, and Minister of Cooperatives, and Small & Medium Enterprises Anak Agung Gede Ngurah Puspayoga. (DND/ES) (RAS/YM/Naster)