One of Tana Toraja’s Oldest Cooperatives Helps 40 Merah Putih Village Cooperatives

KSP Balo’ta is doing more than providing financing to its members. One of Tana Toraja’s oldest cooperatives is also helping build the management capacity of 40 Merah Putih village and urban-ward cooperatives across Tana Toraja and North Toraja.

The support reaches about 200 cooperative managers and focuses on governance and managerial skills. Krisdianto, president director of the Revolving Fund Management Institution for Cooperatives, said Balo’ta had maintained a strong record in managing and repaying financing.

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With Balo’ta’s reputation with LPDB, both in terms of the loans provided and their repayment, Balo’ta is among the best because there have been no problems with repayment or the benefits delivered to members.

“With Balo’ta’s reputation with LPDB, both in terms of the loans provided and their repayment, Balo’ta is among the best because there have been no problems with repayment or the benefits delivered to members,” Krisdianto said during a visit to the cooperative in North Toraja.

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For about 10 years, we have gradually received working-capital assistance. It has been roughly 10 times so far.

KSP Balo’ta has worked with LPDB Cooperative for about a decade and has received working-capital assistance in stages roughly 10 times. Chairman Dedi Bongga said the financing helped expand services to members, including small and medium-sized business operators. The cooperative now serves around 15,000 members.

Balo’ta’s role could extend through the Merah Putih cooperative network. LPDB said Balo’ta members who also join KDKMP could receive loans to develop their businesses, with their products potentially entering the supply chain for KDKMP stores. “This is clearly a very good synergy between KSP Balo’ta and KDKMP, which is a national strategic program,” Krisdianto said.

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This is clearly a very good synergy between KSP Balo’ta and KDKMP, which is a national strategic program.