Jakarta, July 16 -- The Ministry of Social Affairs has encouraged social assistance beneficiaries to become members of and business operators at Red and White Village Cooperatives (KDKMP).

"The Ministry of Social Affairs also encourages (social aid) beneficiaries to become active members of KDKMP," he said in a statement received here on Thursday.

In addition to promoting membership, the ministry said it supports the economic empowerment of beneficiaries through the co-ops. Beneficiaries are expected to market or sell their products through KDKMPs.

"As part of our empowerment efforts, we hope beneficiaries will be able to sell their products through KDKMP," he said.

The ministry is also exploring the possibility of channeling social a...