Latest news with #ACD2025
Barnama
15-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Call For ASEAN To Recognise ACO As Official Cooperative Voice On Regional, Global Stages
KUALA LUMPUR, May 15 (Bernama) -- ASEAN member states have been called upon to unite in officially recognising the ASEAN Co-operative Organisation (ACO) as the primary representative body for cooperatives in the region, to strengthen their influence both regionally and globally. ACO president Datuk Seri Dr Abdul Fattah Abdullah made the call through four key resolutions presented during the ASEAN Cooperative Dialogue 2025 (ACD2025). The two-day event, held from May 13 in Petaling Jaya, featured ACO's Annual General Meeting, Sectoral Assembly, the ASEAN Cooperative Forum, and the ASEAN Cooperative High-Level Discussion. Abdul Fattah emphasised that formal recognition of ACO would elevate the cooperative sector to a status on par with other economic sectors within ASEAN's governance structure. 'Such recognition would allow ACO to participate directly in policy formulation, present strategic proposals, and advocate effectively for cooperative agendas across regional platforms. 'With over 300,000 cooperatives and 65.7 million members across ASEAN, ACO plays a unifying role, giving cooperatives in the region a consolidated voice on the global stage,' he said in a statement today. Abdul Fattah, who is also president of the Malaysian cooperative movement, Angkatan Koperasi Kebangsaan Malaysia Berhad (Angkasa), said that ACD2025 marked a significant step in linking cooperative movements with ASEAN policymakers, ensuring that cooperative interests are included in regional development strategies. He affirmed that the efforts initiated during ACD2025 would not end with the dialogue, as ACO will continue collaborating with governments and regional partners to embed cooperatives more deeply in national and ASEAN economic policies. The four resolutions were the product of joint discussions among ASEAN cooperative ministries, registrars, apex bodies, and Malaysia's premier cooperatives.
Barnama
14-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Malaysia Committed To Strengthening ASEAN Cooperative Sector
PETALING JAYA, May 14 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is committed to strengthening the role of cooperatives in the region and ensuring they remain key drivers of inclusive and sustainable socio-economic growth, said Deputy Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives, Datuk Seri R. Ramanan. He said cooperatives are now recognised as important contributors to the economy, particularly in sectors such as agriculture, finance, education, and digital innovation. 'In this context, the ASEAN Cooperative Dialogue 2025 (ACD2025) is not merely a dialogue, but a renewed vision for a resilient, inclusive, and people-centred ASEAN,' he said during his speech at the ACD2025 Gala Dinner here tonight. 'The event marks a pivotal moment in realigning regional priorities towards sustainable and equitable growth, especially with 2025 declared as the International Year of Cooperatives by the United Nations,' he added. Also present was the President of ANGKASA, Datuk Seri Dr Abdul Fattah Abdullah. Held over two days at the Sunway Resort Hotel beginning yesterday, ACD2025 brought together cooperative leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders from across ASEAN to explore ways to enhance regional cooperation and empower communities through the cooperative movement. Ramanan said as Malaysia assumes the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, the country is proud to champion the cooperative agenda in line with the chairmanship's theme of 'Inclusivity and Sustainability' and the national MADANI framework. He also emphasised the importance of the ASEAN Action Plan for Cooperatives, which aligns with the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Blueprint and guides the advancement of the sector across Southeast Asia. 'By aligning our cooperative initiatives with the broader goals of the AEC, we ensure that Malaysian cooperatives continue to drive local entrepreneurship and reduce socio-economic inequalities,' he said.
New Straits Times
13-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Uniting Asean cooperatives
KUALA LUMPUR: THE Asean Cooperative Dialogue 2025 (ACD2025) kicks off today, aimed at unifying cooperative policies and strategies across Southeast Asia to boost the collective well-being of the region's cooperatives. Angkatan Koperasi Kebangsaan Malaysia Bhd (Angkasa) president Datuk Seri Dr Abdul Fattah Abdullah said the two-day dialogue presented a key opportunity for stakeholders to chart a unified direction for cooperatives in Asean, enhancing their role in national and regional development. "ACD2025 is a space for cooperative leaders, government departments, agencies and experts responsible for cooperatives in 10 Asean member states to discuss the sector's future direction. "We want to elevate the sector by encouraging greater regional policy uniformity and standards," he said in a recent interview. Fattah, who is Asean Co-operative Organisation (ACO) president, said ACD2025 aimed to tap into the economic potential of more than 300,000 cooperatives representing more than 65.7 million members across the region. He stressed ACO's unifying role in driving cooperative development and improving the socio-economic well-being of communities across Southeast Asia. "The sector's total estimated revenue stands at US$78.3 billion, demonstrating its significant contribution to regional growth. "With Asean's population exceeding 600 million, the market for cooperative products and services is vast. We need to approach it strategically," he said, adding that the dialogue marked a significant recognition of Malaysia's leadership as Asean chair this year. Additionally, he said the ACD2025 would become a strategic platform to strengthen regional collaboration and advance shared goals, including those outlined in the Asean Community Vision 2025 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. "There is a real need to review national policies and frameworks to ensure we are moving in a common direction." He added that Malaysia had made significant strides in cooperative development, supported by its Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Ministry, the Cooperative Commission of Malaysia, the Co-operative Institute of Malaysia, as well as national policies and strong government backing. In July last year, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, during the National Cooperative Congress, announced an additional RM6 million to boost the development of cooperatives in recognition of their contribution to the economy. Anwar said the funds would be channelled through Angkasa for various initiatives. Of the total, RM2 million would be allocated to Angkasa by the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry and another RM2 million from the Implementation Coordination Unit. Fattah said: "In contrast, some Asean countries place cooperatives under broader ministries, such as those overseeing culture, youth or agriculture, with varying levels of support. "Also, some countries invest significantly in the sector, while others allocate little to none. We need greater harmonisation and recognition so that cooperatives can thrive across the region." Fattah said different Asean countries have strengths in specific sectors. "Vietnam in industrial cooperatives, Singapore in retail, Thailand in agriculture and Malaysia in halal products, Islamic finance and community-based cooperatives." He emphasised the need for sustained support from Asean governments to ensure the successful implementation of the ACD2025 Resolution, which would be presented at the end of the two-day event. "Cooperatives must be recognised as important economic entities. This recognition should be reflected in national policies that prioritise their involvement in strategic sectors. "We also need cooperative-friendly policies and legal frameworks that support cross-border operations, such as tax incentives, access to development projects, financing and digitalisation support." Fattah said the region's cooperative sector would benefit from a dedicated Asean fund to support small- and medium-sized cooperatives in boosting productivity, overcoming challenges and expanding market access. "We hope Asean governments will fully commit to implementing the ACD2025 Resolution as a regional agenda."With the right policies and implementation, cooperatives can play a much larger role in grassroots development and inclusive socio-economic growth." Fattah added that the Asean Cooperative Product Showcase, which featured innovative products and services from cooperatives across the region, was held alongside the dialogue. "A total of 24 delegates from five countries, namely Malaysia, Indonesia, Timor-Leste, Thailand and Vietnam are participating in the exhibition, showcasing their cooperative offerings to potential regional markets." On the domestic front, Angkasa just celebrated its 54th anniversary yesterday. Established on May 12, 1971, Angkasa now represents over 16,280 cooperatives nationwide, with 7.2 million members. Up to 2024, the cooperative movement's contributions are substantial, with RM173.3 billion in assets, RM18.3 billion in share capital and fees, and RM68.2 billion in annual turnover. "Angkasa has grown steadily over the decades. We play a central role in driving cooperative policy and expanding business networks locally and internationally," Fattah said. Guided by its Strategic Plan 2017–2050, Angkasa focuses on four key areas: economic development, ecosystem, governance and innovation. Fattah said: "These efforts align with national priorities, including the National Entrepreneurship Policy 2030 and the Malaysian Cooperative Policy 2030, to position cooperatives as key drivers of high-impact entrepreneurship. "The goal is to boost cooperatives' role in driving economic resilience and broad-based prosperity, and positioning them as the leading model for sustainable and inclusive socio-economic growth." He said among the initiatives were business incubation programmes and support for cooperatives entering strategic sectors such as halal products, tourism, digitalisation, agriculture and plantations. "Angkasa is also dedicated to strengthening its presence at both regional and international levels through active participation in ACO and the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA). "Angkasa has gained global recognition through events like the ICA General Assembly in Kuala Lumpur (2017), the Global Youth Forum in Sarawak (2020) and the Asia-Pacific Cooperative Youth Summit in Sabah (2023). "These events reflect Malaysia's strong cooperative movement and have drawn international interest in our model." However, he admitted that challenges remain. "Many cooperatives struggle with business sustainability, limited human resources, lack of digital readiness and capital constraints. Public perception also continues to narrowly associate cooperatives with loan activities." He said to address financing issues, Angkasa, via its Koperasi Pembiayaan Syariah Angkasa, offered business loans to cooperatives. "To address digitalisation challenges, a Cooperative Digitalisation Plan has been developed, along with the introduction of the BA100 online retail management system.
Barnama
04-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
ACD 2025 To Address Key Regional Issues In Cooperative Movement
PETALING JAYA, May 4 (Bernama) --The ASEAN Cooperative Dialogue 2025 (ACD2025), scheduled for May 13 and 14, will serve as a platform to discuss critical issues related to the cooperative movement among ASEAN countries. Angkatan Koperasi Kebangsaan Malaysia Berhad (Angkasa) president, Datuk Seri Dr Abdul Fattah Abdullah, said ACD2025 will not only highlight the importance of the cooperative movement in the region but also open avenues for strategic cooperation in areas such as trade, tourism, digital technology, Islamic finance, and halal product development. "Most countries currently focus mainly on agricultural cooperatives. Through ACD2025, we hope to elevate the role and contributions of cooperatives across diverse sectors. We propose that cooperatives be recognised as part of the economic sector," he said. He was speaking at a press conference following the ACD2025 Pre-Launch ceremony officiated by Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry (KUSKOP) secretary-general, Datuk Seri Khairul Dzaimee Daud, at Angkasa headquarters here today. Abdul Fattah, also President of the ASEAN Cooperative Organisation (ACO), said ACD2025 is an ideal opportunity to showcase Malaysia's cooperative achievements on a regional stage, particularly in the education, community, and consumer sectors. He added that ACD2025 will also create new opportunities for small and medium cooperatives to penetrate the ASEAN market through the cooperative-to-cooperative (C2C) model, thus contributing to grassroots economic growth. Themed 'Co-operatives Build a Better World', ACD2025 has received strong support from the government, including a RM6 million allocation to Angkasa announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the National Cooperative Congress on July 26, 2024. The funds aim to support the implementation of various strategic initiatives. Abdul Fattah said RM1 million from the allocation is for implementing ASEAN co-operative programmes during Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025. He said the allocation demonstrates the government's confidence in the potential of cooperatives as an economic development driver. It also highlights their role in strengthening regional economic networks and enhancing social well-being within the ASEAN community.
