Jakarta, Feb. 26 -- 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 neighbo...