Themed “Creating an Enabling Legal Framework and Policies to Promote the SustainableDevelopment of Co-operatives in the 21st Century,” the event is expectedto gather delegates from the Vietnamese Government, the ICA-AP, heads ofcooperative alliances in 63 cities and provinces, and 120 internationalrepresentatives.
President of the Vietnam Cooperative Alliance Nguyen Ngoc Bao saidon April 11 that the forum will deliberate on development trends and theirimpacts on cooperatives in the 21st century, as well as exchange experience inthe creation of an enabling environment for the cooperative eco-system.
The event will also bolster collaboration between the Government and thecooperative movement in settling current socio-economic issues, he added.
Meanwhile, Director of the Institute of Vietnam Organic Agricultural EconomicsLe Thanh said that the forum creates opportunities for regional countries andinternational organisations to gain a deeper insight into the Vietnamesecooperative economy, and for domestic cooperatives to introduce their productsand gain access to the Asia-Pacific market.
On the occasion, a trade promotion fair will be organised in Ho Chi Minh City,with 350 booths displaying agro-forestry-fishery products, industrial products,agricultural machinery and equipment, and plant protection products, amongothers. Exhibitors include domestic cooperatives and businesses, as well asthose from Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
Vietnam is currently home to more than 22,400 cooperatives, with over 7 millionmembers. Around 13,000 cooperatives operate in agriculture. –VNA