Vietnam, Germany seek ways to boost cooperatives

The experiences of Germany and measures to develop cooperatives in Vietnam topped the agenda at a workshop in Tay Ninh province on Nov. 27.

Speaking at the workshop, Hildergard Von Walther, Southeast Asian regional Director of a cooperative development project run by the German Cooperative Federation, said that the most important thing for development is to find out what the obstacles are to the growth of cooperatives.

The German expert also emphasised the implementation of regulations and polices as well as the provision of training courses and consultations to cooperative members. She pledged to help cooperatives in Vietnam in the field.

The two sides also analysed and reviewed the operation of cooperatives in Vietnam and Germany to identify problems and draw lessons.

The Vietnamese side drew a lesson from the German model that cooperatives should be set up based on their members’ real needs and desires and their operation should be flexible, adapting to changes on the market.

Director of the Vietnam Cooperative Union’s Information and Communication Department Hoang Van Long acknowledged shortcomings in training and law enforcement in Vietnamese cooperatives and confirmed that cooperative members are at the very heart of the health of a cooperative.

Tags: Vietnam Germany cooperation