The fifth Cooperative Business Centre (CBC), which will serve as an integrated and modern one-stop-shop service to cooperative societies, was inaugurated, on wedneday afternoon, by the Prime Minister, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, in Saint Pierre.
The Vice-Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Tertiary Education, Science and Technology, Mrs Leela Devi Dookun-Luchoomun; the Minister of Industrial Development, SMEs and Cooperatives, Mr Soomilduth Bholah; Member of Parliament, Mr Yogida Sawmynaden; and other eminent personalities were also present.
In his address, Prime Minister Jugnauth underlined that the cooperatives sector is being re-engineered with a view to provide appropriate institutional setup to foster the growth and modernisation of the sector while focusing on the promotion and development of new fields of activities. To this end, he indicated that CBCs are being set up across the country in different regions namely Rivière du Rempart, Henrietta, Rose Belle and Port Louis. He observed that the CBC in Saint Pierre is located at a strategic location near the new Development Bank of Mauritius branch launched in November this year.
He observed that the cooperative movement has made a lot of progress since its inception in 1913 adding that the sector presently regroups around 1,150 cooperative societies and 85, 000 members. He commended the devotion, sacrifice and hard work of cooperators through which they have been able to progress in life and eventually break free from the cycle of poverty. Nowadays, he rejoiced, the cooperative sector has been able to diversify itself and tap into new avenues of development such as fisheries, breeding of animals, and creation of artisanal products, amongst others. Many societies have also embarked on new business ideas such as recycling and bio agriculture which, according to him, is praiseworthy as they are helping Government in its mission to protect the environment and reduce gas emissions.
Recalling the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia and Ukraine War, Prime Minister Jugnauth underlined that cooperative societies have an even more important role to play in the socio-economic development of the country. He called on the cooperative societies to continue to revamp themselves and tap into new technologies to keep pace with the challenges of the competitive business environment and become even more modern, self efficient and sustainable. He stressed that it was crucial to revamp and bring forth a new dynamism in the cooperatives sector so that it is well equipped and prepared to respond to emerging challenges.
On this score, he indicated that Government has allocated a sum of Rs 21 million to the cooperative sector for the provision of grants in the previous budget under five different schemes namely Boost to Local Production, Goat Farming, Zero Budget Natural Farming, Waste Recycling, and Seedlings production. Moreover, from 2022 to 2023, he noted that Rs 12 million were provided to 54 cooperative societies under these schemes. Additionally, several major projects have been financed to give a boost to the sector. These include the renovation of Maison des Pêcheurs at Tamarin, the renovation of Maison des Éleveurs at Saint Pierre, and the creation of the National Cooperatives College (NCC) at Bois Marchand. He also emphasised on the importance of training and education for cooperators while underlining that the NCC has become a center of excellence since its opening.
Speaking about the CBC, the Prime Minister stated that it will provide better infrastructure, logistics and environment for the employees and for cooperators, promote the utilisation of technology, and eliminate bureaucracy. Furthermore, it will facilitate the public’s access to the services and facilities provided by the CBC, he added. The CBC, he pointed out, also comprises commercial stalls that have been put at the disposal of eight cooperative societies for display and sale of their products.
Moreover, he reiterated that Government will continue to give special consideration to small businesses and vulnerable people and support their progress and empowerment by putting at their disposal the necessary infrastructure, facilities and schemes.
For his part, Minister Bholah highlighted that to maintain dynamism, promoting optimum utilisation of resources, and introducing efficiency and innovation in the sector, the Ministry solicited the help of the Office of Public Sector Governance to review the services being offered. He informed that key recommendations of the report included the re-engineering of the cooperatives sector and the restructuring of 12 existing Regional Cooperative Centres into CBCs. He also dwelt on the achievements of the cooperatives sector and indicated that Government has put several incentives at the disposal of cooperative societies to help increase their business profit, enhance their visibility and widen their entrepreneurial range.
