Over 2,000 Cooperatives Established To Boost South Kalimantan Economy
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| South Kalimantan strengthens its economy through Red and White cooperatives, with over 2,000 established to support Sharia growth and rural development. |
BANJARBARU – The South Kalimantan Provincial Office of Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the regional economic structure by focusing on the development of “Red and White” Village and Urban Cooperatives.
Head of the South Kalimantan Cooperatives and SMEs Office, Rahmaddin, stated that the initiative aligns national priority programs with the province’s development vision led by Governor H. Muhidin and Deputy Governor Hasnuryadi Sulaiman, known as “Kalsel Works” (Sustainable, Cultural, Religious, and Prosperous).
According to Rahmaddin, cooperatives play a strategic role as a key driver of regional economic growth, particularly in promoting a Sharia-based economy.
“This national program is in line with the regional mission to boost Sharia economic growth. Cooperatives serve as the backbone of development and a vital pillar of the local economy,” he said in Banjarbaru on Tuesday.
He added that strong and well-managed cooperatives will support South Kalimantan’s position as a logistics gateway for the Kalimantan region.
To ensure the program’s success, the provincial government has implemented an intensive collaboration strategy. This includes continuous mentoring for cooperative managers, strengthening institutional capacity, and improving human resources at the village and urban levels.
Rahmaddin emphasized that these achievements will provide a solid foundation for supporting National Strategic Programs (PSN) initiated by President Prabowo.
Meanwhile, Head of Institutional Affairs at the South Kalimantan Cooperatives and SMEs Office, Bambang Dedi Mulyadi, explained that the establishment of Red and White Cooperatives is supported by a strong legal framework, including Presidential Instructions No. 9 of 2025 and No. 17 of 2025.
At the regional level, the policy is reinforced by South Kalimantan Governor Regulation No. 024 of 2025.
Recent data shows significant growth in the cooperative sector across the province. To date, a total of 2,013 Red and White Village and Urban Cooperatives have been officially established and legally registered.
This includes 1,869 Village Cooperatives and 144 Urban Cooperatives spread across all regencies and cities in South Kalimantan.
With the rapid expansion of these cooperatives, the government expects rural communities to directly benefit from improved logistics access and stronger local business empowerment.
