ALOR SETAR, The Cooperatives Commission of Malaysia (SKM) is urging cooperatives in Kedah to seize new opportunities, particularly in the tourism sector, in anticipation of Visit Kedah Year 2025 and Visit Malaysia Year 2026.

SKM chairman Lt Gen Datuk Ahmad Norihan Jalal said this initiative is expected to generate consistent income for the cooperative members involved and enhance competitiveness in Kedah.

He said in addition to having strong unity among members, the cooperative movement in Kedah has various sectors to explore, such as agriculture and micro-industries, which can be harnessed to attract tourists.

‘Next year is Visit Kedah Year, and 2026 will be Visit Malaysia Year. Therefore, we need Kedah cooperatives to double their efforts. This will help increase the national GDP with the support of Kedah cooperatives.

‘We also see that cooperatives in Kedah, especially those involved in micro-industries where 70 per cent are in rural areas, are showing improvements.

‘Kedah is on the right track as it
has abundant resources and a community with a strong sense of unity,’ he said at the state-level National Cooperative Day 2024 here today.

According to statistics as of Dec 31 last year, there were 1,003 cooperatives registered in the state, with a membership of 285,302, total shares or fees amounting to RM357.98 million and assets worth RM754 million, while cooperative revenue reached RM426.96 million.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Norihan urged Kedah SKM to continuously monitor ‘underperforming’ or inactive cooperatives and work to attract more people to join the cooperative movement.

‘Not everyone knows about cooperatives or sees them as a community platform. In reality, cooperatives are essential within any community,’ he said.

The event, themed ‘Malaysia MADANI: The Core of Cooperative Excellence,’ also featured a cooperative product exhibition and sale, futsal competition, religious talks and MADANI Cooperative and Entrepreneur Sales offering essential goods.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency