MEDAC to Organise National Cooperative Congress in 2024

14 October 2023

By Wartawan Nabalu News

KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (MEDAC) has announced plans to organize the National Cooperative Congress next year. The congress, spearheaded by Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick, will be dedicated to addressing the development and pertinent issues related to cooperatives in the country, with the ultimate goal of bolstering the cooperative movement.

Ewon proposed that the National Cooperative Congress be held in 2024 and highlighted the importance of adequate preparation. To ensure the success of the congress, the ministry, along with its affiliated agencies, including the Malaysian Cooperative Commission (SKM), the Malaysian Cooperative Institute (IKMA), Angkasa, and cooperative federations across the nation, will engage in discussions and collaborative efforts.

This announcement was made during a dialogue session, in the presence of the Top 100 Cooperatives in the country, following the recent launch of the National Cooperative Policy (DaKoM) 2030. Deputy Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives, Saraswathy Kandasami, Secretary-General of KUSKOP, Dato' Sri Suriani Ahmad, Executive Chairman of SKM, Rusli Jaafar, and representatives from prominent cooperatives nationwide were also in attendance.

Ewon expressed his hope that the resolutions derived from the congress would empower more than 15,000 cooperatives nationwide, enabling them to thrive and become more competitive. In addition, he emphasized the need to strengthen school cooperatives and revealed plans for discussions between his ministry and the Ministry of Education in order to achieve this goal.

During the dialogue session, 15 cooperative representatives voiced their views and suggestions on how to fortify the cooperative movement in the country. This included the encouragement of young individuals to actively participate in cooperative businesses, aiming to ensure the longevity and success of the cooperative sector.

The National Cooperative Congress promises to be a significant platform for cooperative members to address pressing issues, exchange ideas, and collaborate on strategies that will shape the future of the cooperative movement in Malaysia.