Cooperatives in Bintulu generally perform well — SKM official
BINTULU: Cooperatives in this division are recording moderate performance with significant increase in earnings, says Malaysian Cooperative Commission (SKM) deputy state director Liew Liuk Chim.
He believed that cooperatives in this division could further diversify their economic activities in the agriculture and agro-based industry in order to increase their income.
He said based on 2021 statistics, there are 1,109 cooperatives with 297,332 members in Sarawak, with an accumulated share capital of RM199.03 million, assets of RM636.41 million and turnover of RM311.10 million.
“This shows that cooperative is a movement that involves community participation and is capable of helping to transform the people’s socioeconomic development,” he said at the opening of Agromart Koperasi Petani Bintulu Sarawak Bhd retail outlet here yesterday.
For the record, there are 92 registered cooperatives with 24,037 members in Bintulu Division with an accumulated share capital of RM4.89 million, assets of RM14.80 million and turnover of RM16.05 million.
Liew said the opening of Agromart Koperasi Petani Bintulu Sarawak Bhd shop here was timely, and called on members and other farmers to send their produce to the cooperative.
He said the success and revenue of the cooperative would directly benefit all members.
“Cooperatives are one of the engines of economic growth that also have a role in stimulating and strengthening the various economic sectors, especially the agricultural sector and agro-based industry.”
Meanwhile, Agromart Koperasi Petani Bintulu Sarawak Bhd chairman Wong Hau Ming said the cooperative was registered on Feb 4 2021 with 40 members, to assist local farmers to market their produce.
Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture and Regional Development Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi officiated at yesterday’s opening ceremony.