Cooperatives a tested strategy for dev: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday called for strengthening the cooperatives movement in Bangladesh, saying that it can play a major role in the country's development.

“If the cooperatives movement can be carried out properly, development will be faster... I believe that,” she said.

The premier was addressing a programme marking the 47th National Cooperatives Day and distribution of the National Cooperatives Award 2016 and 2017 at Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC).

Hasina emphasised providing training to youths to build them as skilled human resources, and “this is how the curse of unemployment could be removed".

“Cooperatives is a philosophy; it's a tested strategy for socio-economic development. In the cooperatives-based development process, discrimination decreases as it ensures balanced and sustainable development.”

The government has been working to improve the socio-economic condition of people, upholding Bangabandhu's dream and ideology. “In our development process, we're giving utmost importance to rural development,” she said.

She also stressed the need for expanding the cooperatives movement for the optimum utilisation of land in food production.

LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Khandakar Mosharraf Hossain and State Minister Moshiur Rahman Ranga attended the event as special guests.

The day was observed with the theme “Let's build cooperative-based society, ensure sustainable development”.

Earlier, the PM distributed National Cooperatives Award among recipients.