PT Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) Tbk or BNI reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Red and White Village/Sub-Regency Cooperative Program officially launched by the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, in Bentangan Village, Klaten, Central Java, on Monday (21/7/2025). This program is one of the government's strategic steps in promoting people-based economic sovereignty.
As part of the State-Owned Banks Association (Himbara), BNI is actively involved in this program by managing 22 out of a total of 103 pilot cooperatives, including the Red and White Village/Sub-Regency Cooperative in Bentangan Village. BNI provides support in the form of digital financial services, strengthening of cooperative institutions, and financing facilities.
President Prabowo referred to cooperative as a means to achieve the economic sovereignty of the people thru the spirit of mutual cooperation and kinship. He stated that cooperative can transform weaknesses into strengths and become the foundation of true independence.
Cooperative turns weaknesses into strengths. This is the path to true independence, namely the ability to ensure a decent life for all Indonesian people," said President Prabowo in his speech.
At the launch event, members of the Red and White Cabinet, members of the House of Representatives and Regional Representative Council, as well as regional heads from various parts of the country, both in person and online, were also present. Also present were BNI President Director Putrama Wahju Setyawan along with the BNI management team.
The Red and White Village/Sub-Regency Cooperative Program aims to establish 80,000 cooperative units throughout Indonesia.
This program includes the establishment of new cooperatives, the revitalization of old cooperatives, and the development of existing cooperatives. The cooperatives will manage various strategic services such as grocery outlets, logistics distribution, warehouses, cold storage, pharmacies, village clinics, as well as savings and loan units.
BNI Corporate Secretary Okki Rushartomo explained that BNI has prepared various financial solutions to strengthen village cooperatives. Among them are the BNIdirect platform, wondr by BNI, and the Agen46 network that reaches the farthest corners of the country.
"BNI is ready to support village cooperatives to grow as pillars of an independent and inclusive local economy. We are present not only with financing but also with digital solutions and institutional strengthening," said Okki.
BNI considers this initiative in line with the vision of its founder, R.M. Margono Djojohadikusumo, who emphasized the importance of building economic strength from the villages to support equitable national growth.
"With BNI's active involvement, this program is expected to accelerate the equitable distribution of welfare and the sustainable independence of villages," concluded Okki.