JAYAPURA – Papua Vice Governor Aryoko Rumaropen stated that the Merah Putih Cooperative plays a strategic role in improving public welfare and strengthening the regional economy.

“The existence of cooperatives is very much in line with the mission of the Papua Provincial Government, particularly the Productive Papua mission, which aims to encourage community productivity through entrepreneurial innovation and the sustainable development of natural resources,” said Vice Governor Aryoko during a training program to enhance the competency of facilitators for the Merah Putih Village and Urban Cooperatives (KDKMP).

According to him, cooperatives can empower communities at the village and urban levels to manage local potential, develop businesses, and foster economic independence.

“This is a tangible manifestation of efforts to make Papuan people more productive, independent, and competitive,” he emphasized.

The Vice Governor added that improving competencies also indirectly supports the Smart Papua mission, which focuses on enhancing the quality of education and expanding access to learning opportunities for all members of society.

He further explained that digitalization skills will serve as an essential asset for expanding market access and improving management efficiency—both of which are integral components of the Productive Papua vision.

Through this training, cooperative facilitators are expected to become the driving force of the community-based grassroots economy. The independence of villages and urban areas cannot be achieved without the active role of competent, ethical, and dedicated facilitators committed to nation-building.

“Let us make cooperatives the backbone of a resilient, modern, and competitive people’s economy, for the realization of a prosperous, advanced, and harmonious Papua,” he concluded. ***