Khofifah representing Indonesia at ICA forum

Jakarta, NU Online
Indonesian Cooperatives Council deputy chairperson Khofifah Indar Parawansa is representing Indonesia at an International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) forum in Beijing, China from Sept 1-5, 2010.

In a text message to Antara on Saturday, Khofifah said the forum, attended by 400 cooperative movement delegates from around the world, was opened by Chinese Deputy Prime Minister Hui Liangyu.<<>br />
"It is an annual forum. Next year a similar forum will be conducted in India and in 2012 in Mexico," Khofifah said in her text message.

She said a number of countries such as the Netherlands, the United States, Brazil, India, and host country China which were successful in developing their respective cooperatives also participated in this year`s ICA forum.

In such a forum, Khofifah admitted to have seen a lot of differences in the cooperative development of the participating countries.

"Many countries do not have cooperative minister but the cooperatives are well integrated in all departments at both national and local governments," Khofifah said.

She pointed out that in Singapore for example, the cooperative was under the coordination of sports and youth committee development ministry.

Interestingly, Khofifah added that the majority of Singaporeans, namely 1.3 million of 3 million population were members of cooperative.

"While in Mongolia, the cooperative is under the coordination of food and agriculture ministry.

She said the forum was of a great importance but unlike Malaysia which sent 46 representatives, Indonesia was unfortunately represented by only 8 officials from cooperative council and the ministry of cooperatives and small medium enterprises. (dar)