Government has emphasised the need to promote and invest in cooperatives as they have the potential to boost the economy of the country.
Minister of Trade and Industry, Mark Katsonga Phiri, was speaking at an International Cooperatives Alliance Conference in Cairo Egypt.
“My ministry has embarked on the processes of reviewing the Cooperative Societies Act. A consultant to undertake the review task has been identified and is in the process of signing the consultancy contract under the Agricultural Commercialisation (AGCOM) Project.
“This initiative will address the challenges that primary cooperatives have been facing in areas of marketing, compliance to quality and product standards,” said Katsonga.
Katsonga added that government realises the social and economic contribution of cooperatives to the country hence the different interventions.
The Minister is in Cairo, Egypt attending a three-day conference aimed at creating an enabling environment for the development and growth of vibrant and sustainable cooperative societies in African Countries.