Jakarta, March 7 -- Social Minister Saifullah Yusuf emphasized the importance of community empowerment programs to accelerate poverty alleviation by collaborating with various parties to help the community.

"We want this cooperation to reduce poverty and create jobs. These are the two main points," the minister noted in a written statement here on Friday.

Yusuf highlighted that 30 beneficiaries had undergone assessment and received training and a package of business tools, such as a food stall and a mobile ice cream cart, provided by the ministry.

Meanwhile, in training and providing tools for their businesses, the ministry cooperated with private parties operating in related business sectors to implement the empowerment program succes...