Jakarta (ANTARA) – Trade Minister Budi Santoso stated that the Red and White Village Cooperatives have significant opportunities to collaborate with minimarket networks, modern retailers, and distributors as product suppliers.The statement was made in response to concerns over a potential halt in the expansion of modern retail outlets in villages once Red and White Village Cooperatives begins operations. After the launch of Trade Expo Indonesia here on Thursday, Santoso said the objective of Red and White Village Cooperatives is to empower local economies by bringing distribution channels closer to rural consumers.Therefore, cooperation schemes with distributors and modern retail and minimarket networks are not new, as small neighborhood shops have long been supplied by modern retailers and distributors.“This is a good opportunity to collaborate with minimarkets and distributors to distribute their products through village cooperatives,” he remarked.Santoso emphasized that Red and White Village Cooperatives holds advantages compared to regular minimarkets.In addition to functioning as a minimarket with a broader product range, the cooperative also offers agricultural necessities such as fertilizers and pesticides. It can even serve as a pharmacy, clinic, or an exporter of leading village products.He added that, under prevailing regulations, permits for modern retail operations fall under the authority of regional governments through spatial planning.“I believe regional governments will act wisely in developing their cooperatives for the prosperity of the village, as village cooperatives belong to the village,” he said.Previously, Minister of Cooperatives Ferry Juliantono also supported Red and White Village Cooperatives partnering with modern retail chains such as Indomaret and Alfamart.He noted that such partnerships could strengthen the role of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) while maintaining balance in meeting consumer needs.Juliantono stressed that the presence of modern retail should not be viewed as a threat, but rather as a strategic partner for cooperatives.