National Co-operative Council aims to boost co-operative development across Panama

Delegates at the National Co-operative Council of Panama discussed new measures to boost co-operative development at their 23 General Assembly.

Professor Ruben Cabrera, Director and Producer of the radio show "Cooperativismo y Algo Más" (Co-operatives and something more) wrote a special report on the meeting that took place in Santiago on 24 November.

According to Mr Cabrera, one of the important issues tackled at the meeting was making sure the governments would work with co-ops and the Council to support co-operative development, particularly in the agricultural sector. Members have also discussed the budget for 2013. 

A keynote speaker at the meeting was José “Popo” Montenegro, President of CONALCOOP. Mr Montenegro said: “In our country and around the world, there have been many comments, statements and stances taken, some in favour, others against the co-operative phenomenon as one of great importance for society and the economic and productive development of a state. Experts who have assessed co-operatives in various studies see them as a viable alternative to the capitalist model.”

Mr Montenegro added co-operatives act in the most vulnerable sectors of the economy, helping vulnerable people.

He also revealed the Council is struggling faces financial difficulties because some co-operatives refuse to pay the joining fee. He said that in spite of this inconvenience, CONALCOOP has represented throughout these years co-ops from across the country, fulfilling its objectives of representation, training, integration and consultation, for the overall good of co-operatives across the country.

The National Co-operative Council of Panama was created in September 1989 and is a not-for profit organisation. Its main objectives are defining the policies and objectives that would sustain co-operative development across Panama, through a National Co-operative Development Plan.

In accordance with Law 17, of 1997, an Integration Fund was created to support the activities of CONALCOOP. The fund consists of 0,5 per cent of the surplus that comes out of the annual return, after deducting provisions and general expenses. This fund has to be handed over to CONALCOOP and is used to train, sustain, educate, and provide technical assistance to co-operatives across Panama.