Cooperative societies not active: Sallun

THERE are well over 7000 cooperative societies in Papua New Guinea but most of them are not active or operational, an official says.
Registrar of PNG Cooperative Societies Stephen Sallun told The National yesterday that cooperative societies were an important tool to drive primary or rural industries but have not been given adequate attention by the Government over the past years.
“We have well over 7000 cooperative societies throughout the country but most of them are not operational or functional at the moment,” he said.
“We have got around 200 to 300 that are active right now and operational because there has been lack of government attention and support over the years.”
Sallun said cooperatives were a key factor to drive an agriculture-based economy, having its base in the rural communities where the majority of the people lived.
“Examples of successful cooperative is the Mainland Holdings Ltd, which is an important player in the PNG agriculture sector and which has diversified its interest into other business prospects,” Sallun said.
He said cooperatives were more active in Morobe and parts of the Highlands, particularly in Eastern Highlands and Chimbu.