Cooperatives target to contribute RM50 bln to GDP by 2020
LAHAD DATU: Cooperatives are encouraged to venture into high impact businesses to boost revenue and achieve the goal of the National Cooperative Policy by 2020 with a contribution of RM50 billion to Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Deputy Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities Datuk Datu Nasrun Datu Mansur said by 2020, cooperatives needed to be more developed and competitive.
Nasrun said transformation was needed to be done thoroughly to make the cooperatives more competitive.
He said transformation would increase the socio-economy of cooperative members particularly and the community in general.
“The transformation could also address the living cost problem through job opportunities and giving a good impact on the quality of life.
“Therefore, cooperatives should take the opportunity by developing innovative and creative human capital to ensure that cooperatives are not left behind in business that is increasingly challenging,” he said.
Nasrun, who is also the Silam member of parliament in his speech at the closing ceremony of the Cooperative Human Capital Sustainable Programme yesterday, said the government had provided opportunities to encourage cooperatives to become the main driver of the people’s economy.
“Cooperatives should also foster strategic alliances and business networking with third parties to further uplift the cooperative movement.
“This initiative will enable the cooperative to benefit in terms of capital, technology and market,” said Nasrun.
Therefore, Nasrun urged cooperatives to seize the opportunity and if they do not have the skills and expertise, they could refer to the Malaysian Cooperative Commission (MCC) and Maktab Koperasi Malaysia (MKM).
Nasrun also hoped MKM would continue the human capital development that could transform and build cooperative movements.
Meanwhile, MKM head Prof Madya Dato’ Dr Abdul Rahman Abdul Razak Shaik said the programme aimed to encourage cooperative members and the community to understand the cooperative concept.