Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Indonesian Ministry of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions is prepared to help accelerate rural development in West Papua by optimizing the implementation of various programs, including the export village initiative.“Villages can now directly conduct export through village-owned enterprises (BUMDes),” Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions Minister Yandri Susanto said while receiving West Papua Governor Dominggus Mandacan at the ministry’s office here on Wednesday.In line with that, Susanto urged the West Papua provincial government to thoroughly map out the potential of villages that could be developed for export activities.In addition to export villages, the minister noted that the tourism village program could also accelerate rural development. He asked the governor to designate one village as a pilot project for tourism village development.He also encouraged the provincial government to participate in developing thematic villages tailored to each village’s unique potential.“West Papua has also become a locus of the Integrated Village Economic Transformation (TEKAD) program in Manokwari, South Manokwari, Pegunungan Arfak, Fakfak, and Kaimana, covering 185 villages,” he stated.Earlier during the meeting, Governor Mandacan outlined several priority programs requiring intervention from the ministry across seven regencies, 91 sub-districts, 57 urban villages, and 817 villages.“We are prioritizing strengthening the rural economy based on local potential. In addition, there are programs in the education and health sectors,” he remarked.Mandacan also conveyed that the province has been preparing programs to enhance the capacity of village officials and residents, along with rural infrastructure development and initiatives targeting disadvantaged areas.Meanwhile, Minister Susanto responded positively to the proposals, noting that they align with the “12 Priority Actions in Building Villages, Building Indonesia” agenda.