Ministry to create export villages for economic growth realization

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions (PDT) expressed readiness to create thousands of export villages in the country to increase economic growth.

"We will create thousands of export villages," Villages and PDT Minister Yandri Susanto stated during his speech at the Joint Action to Strengthen Supervision and Governance to Realize the Sixth Astacita in Jakarta on Thursday.

His side viewed Indonesian villages as possessing abundant potential that could be developed to optimize the export sector. Consequently, such potential can be leveraged to benefit the country.

"Do not bury the villages' potential," he reminded.

He then cited Ngoran Village in Blitar, East Java, as an example of an export village in Indonesia.

Susanto spoke of having witnessed the vast potential of the village in processing its resources. Ngoran Village is famous for processing cowhide into djembe (ethnic percussion drum) for export to China. With these exports, Ngoran Village is able to generate export value reaching Rp17.5 billion (US$1 million) per year.

Susanto stated that his side seeks support and collaboration from several parties, including the Trade Ministry, to realize thousands of export villages.

The minister highlighted that through such collaboration the establishment of thousands of export villages can be achieved and be able to contribute to the growth of the Indonesian economy to reach eight percent, as targeted by President Prabowo Subianto.

"With marketing and coaching, this export village can be a source of income. These exports can contribute to the economic growth targeted by the president of eight percent," he remarked.

Earlier, Susanto also stated that village potential could be developed through mentoring and empowerment, resulting in an export village that would suppress the unemployment rate.

"Through collaboration with the government and the private sectors, village-owned enterprises (BUMDes) and village MSMEs can receive export training in order to reduce unemployment," he noted.