KOTA KINABALU – The three-day National Cooperative Day celebrations at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) in Kota Kinabalu successfully recorded sales and business prospects amounting to RM48,370,833.
Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick said RM46.9 million was from business prospects through 44 business-matching sessions.
“Meanwhile, the sales from cooperatives or entrepreneurs that participated in the exhibition throughout the three-day National Cooperative Day amounted to RM1,215,090.00, with Madani sales totaling RM154,284.00, and food truck sales amounting to RM101,459.00. The overall cash sales total was RM1,470,832.
“In terms of visitor attendance, a total of 10,069 people visited SICC during the three days, exceeding the set target,” he said in a statement here today.
A total of 219 booths from government agencies, private enterprises, entrepreneurs, and cooperatives participated in the sales carnival and set up exhibition stalls.
Various entrepreneurship-related activities were held, including business advisory services, inclusive business talks, and an entrepreneurship quiz.
The opening ceremony was officiated by Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Hajiji Mohd Noor, with Sabah chosen to host the event.
The theme for this year’s celebrations is “Madani Malaysia, the Core of Cooperative Excellence”.
Embodying and implementing the six cores contained in the concept of Madani Malaysia, the Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry believes it can elevate the status of the cooperative movement to a more advanced and prosperous level.
This celebration is a manifestation of the government’s appreciation and recognition of the national cooperative movement, which has contributed significantly to the socio-economic development of the nation’s Madani community.
Selecting July as the month for the National Cooperatives event not only highlights the history of the first cooperative registration in this country but also aligns with the declaration of the first Saturday and Sunday of July every year as the International Day of Cooperatives by the International Co-operative Alliance.
This year, the International Day of Cooperatives was celebrated on July 1, 2023.
Throughout the three-day celebration, the local community benefited economically from the presence of cooperative members from across the country, such as in the hospitality, tourism, and transportation industries.
Moreover, the national cooperative movement has successfully strengthened cooperation networks with various parties, engaged in various business activities, and increased cooperative income.
The closing ceremony of the National Cooperative Month on July 30 is expected to be officiated by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. – The Vibes, July 26, 2023
