President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has called for effective measures to improve the marketing of products manufactured by cooperative societies and reduce the dominance of middlemen, stressing the need to remove existing barriers and modernise relevant laws and policies to revitalise the cooperative sector.
He made the remarks while addressing a programme marking National Cooperative Day at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital on Sunday (November 8).
Reflecting on the past performance of the cooperative movement, the President said cooperative activities were once vibrant even in small sub-divisional towns like Thakurgaon. Cooperative buildings, cold storage facilities and markets operated there, while many prominent local residents were actively involved in the movement.
However, the situation has changed considerably over time, and the enthusiasm and dynamism that once characterised the cooperative movement have largely disappeared, he observed.
Identifying corruption as one of the major reasons behind the decline, the President said internal irregularities had ruined most cooperative societies, leaving only a handful capable of operating successfully.
He noted that the cooperative sector still had significant potential to contribute to the country’s economic and social development if its existing problems could be addressed.
Emphasising the need for legal and policy reforms, he said some existing laws were reportedly creating obstacles to the normal growth of cooperative organisations. The concerned state minister, ministries and members of parliament should examine the issues seriously and take necessary steps to amend and modernise the relevant laws.
The President also pointed out that the expansion of NGO activities in Bangladesh had created competition for the cooperative sector. He called for strengthening cooperative societies so that they could compete with NGOs, maintain their position and expand their operations.
Citing Milk Vita as an example of a successful cooperative-based enterprise, he said the organisation had once played an important role in increasing livestock rearing and milk production in its operational areas.
He said he had learned that Milk Vita was currently operating profitably, although there was further scope to increase its earnings. He stressed the need for stronger promotional activities to expand the market for its pasteurised milk, butter, cheese and ice cream.
Highlighting product marketing as a major challenge for cooperatives, the President said production alone was not enough; effective arrangements must also be ensured to bring products to consumers.
He urged the Department of Cooperatives and the concerned ministry to take initiatives to facilitate marketing. Cooperative-based companies or committees could be formed to help producers sell their products, as the country currently lacked an effective marketing system for such goods.
He also emphasised the use of digital marketing and e-commerce to reduce the influence of middlemen and ensure better market access for cooperative producers.
The President further called on the younger generation to engage in emerging and promising sectors, including startups and the blue economy, to create new opportunities for economic growth.
