State approves review of cooperative sector
28-Jun-2008 09:45 AM

THE interim Government has approved the review of the Cooperatives Sector; a review which is part of the strategies approved by the interim Cabinet to revitalise the Cooperative Sector.

The Interim Cabinet which met on Tuesday based its decision on a submission by the Minister for Industry, Tourism, Trade and Communication, Tom Ricketts.

Ricketts said if cooperatives were to develop into strong and self-supporting businesses, the emphasis of government policy must be changed towards unifying and strengthening the large number of cooperatives which already exist rather than attempting to establish a greater number of cooperatives.

“Research and observations clearly indicate that the cooperative movement in Fiji (consumer/marketing sector in particular) is a fragmented collection of cooperative societies.

“Its fragmentation has resulted in the movement not being able to realise its true potential as shown in other developing countries,” Rickets said.

Ricketts said the cooperative movement had profound impact on the disadvantaged sector of the population where Government had provided a conducive environment for the cooperatives to develop and realise their true potential through enabling legislation and active support to the cooperative apex.

“Consequently, this demands a new and clear statement of government policy and strategies on cooperative development be designed.

“This policy is to include: the development of a national apex organisation as a focal point to sustain the activities of all cooperatives in Fiji; the recognition of the immense potential cooperatives and small businesses have in the development of local economies through targeted intervention programs; and support to the role of the Department of Cooperatives in the development of cooperatives and SME’s to complement the role of the proposed national cooperative apex.”

Ricketts said the cooperatives sector review framework contemplated the role of cooperatives in the creation of wealth at all levels of society in Fiji.

He added that that this was in line with the new vision for the sector.

“The vision is to strengthen Cooperative sector to be the engine of growth for economic activities in the rural areas with the goal to sustain a 10 per cent economic
contribution to GDP by 2020.”