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\ud835\udddd\ud835\uddee\ud835\uddf8\ud835\uddee\ud835\uddff\ud835\ude01\ud835\uddee, \ud835\udff1 \ud835\uddd7\ud835\uddf2\ud835\uddf0\ud835\uddf2\ud835\uddfa\ud835\uddef\ud835\uddf2\ud835\uddff \ud835\udfee\ud835\udfec\ud835\udfee\ud835\udff1 – Timor-Leste and Indonesia have reaffirmed their strong commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation in the cooperative sector during a high-level meeting held at the Ministry of Cooperatives (KEMENKOP) in Jakarta. The meeting brought together Timor-Leste\u2019s Secretary of State for Cooperatives, Eng. Ars\u00e9nio Pereira da Silva, M.Agr., and Indonesia\u2019s Minister of Cooperatives and SMEs, Dr. Ferry Juliantono, SE, AK, M.Si.<\/a>, in a warm and constructive dialogue aimed at strengthening collaborative efforts that support community-based economic development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n From the outset, both sides underscored the importance of revitalizing and modernizing their cooperation framework to align with current economic priorities. A central focus of the discussions was the revision of the 2024 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which both governments agreed must be updated to reflect today\u2019s policy directions, on-the-ground realities, and the evolving needs of cooperative communities. The meeting also advanced preparations for two major regional events in 2026, the ASEAN Cooperative Ministerial Meeting (ACMM) and the Dili Cooperative Expo, both to be hosted by Timor-Leste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Secretary of State Ars\u00e9nio expressed his sincere appreciation for Indonesia\u2019s continued support and warm hospitality. He reaffirmed that Indonesia remains a key learning partner for Timor-Leste in strengthening cooperative governance, empowering community enterprises, and advancing rural development. He also commended Indonesia\u2019s vast experience as an important reference point for Timor-Leste as the country seeks to modernize and expand its cooperative sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A key highlight of the discussions was the interest shown by Secretary Ars\u00e9nio in Indonesia\u2019s national flagship program, Koperasi Desa\/Kelurahan (Kopdes\/Kel) Merah Putih, introduced under the leadership of President Prabowo Subianto. He praised the program as a visionary model for grassroots economic transformation and emphasized his intention to further consult with the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste regarding how such a community-driven model could inspire reforms and strengthen rural cooperatives across Timor-Leste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In this context, Minister Ferry elaborated on Indonesia\u2019s ambitious national plan to establish more than 80,000 modernized village and urban cooperative-owned stores across the country one store for each village and kelurahan supported by an estimated 240 trillion rupiah investment. He noted that this transformative initiative is guided by a unified Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) and aims to build a stronger cooperative-based retail ecosystem. Minister Ferry emphasized that this model could serve as a valuable example for Timor-Leste as it considers modernizing its own cooperative structures and strengthening economic sovereignty at the village level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Minister Ferry also warmly congratulated Timor-Leste on its historic accession as a full member of ASEAN on 26 October 2025, reaffirming Indonesia\u2019s readiness to support Timor-Leste\u2019s active engagement in ASEAN cooperative mechanisms. He further reiterated Indonesia\u2019s commitment to participating in the ACMM 2026 in Dili, demonstrating strong regional solidarity and partnership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To ensure more structured collaboration, Indonesia proposed the establishment of a Joint Technical Working Group (JTWG). This mechanism will serve as a platform for technical exchanges, monitoring of program implementation, preparation of joint materials for ASEAN cooperative forums, and identification of practical challenges on the ground. Both countries expressed strong support for operationalizing this mechanism without delay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The two sides reached consensus on several follow-up actions, including: 1) Finalizing the revised MoU between KEMENKOP and SECoop; 2) Establishing and operationalizing the JTWG; 3) Preparing jointly for ACMM 2026 and the Dili Cooperative Expo; 4) Expanding collaboration on human resource development; and 5) Enhancing mutual exchange of knowledge and best practices in cooperative reform and development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Timor-Leste\u2019s delegation was led by Secretary of State H.E Ars\u00e9nio Pereira da Silva, and included Counselor Domingos Savio from the Timor-Leste Embassy in Jakarta, Eng. Leovogildo Belarmino, M.Sc.<\/a> (Chief of Staff of SECoop), Gil Bento (Director of Cooperative Development), Mrs. Zelia F\u00e1tima de Carvalho (National Director for Procurement and Logistics), Mr. Joanico Sarmento Gomes (Second Secretary), and other SECoop officials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n