KUCHING, Sept 29 (Bernama) -- The cooperative movement in Sarawak need to leverage financing, training, and capacity-building facilities provided by the government to strengthen their standing and consequently drive the state's economy.
Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said cooperatives hold a special position in economic development because the benefits of business growth can be directly enjoyed by their members and the community.
"Cooperatives also need to transition from merely carrying out traditional activities to businesses capable of expanding, building their own brands, dominating the market, and participating in new economic sectors," he said when speaking at the Sarawak State Cooperative Movement Appreciation Night 2026 (MAGK'26) here tonight.
Awang Tengah, who is also Sarawak's Minister of International Trade, Industry and Investment, said several areas require attention from the cooperative movement, among them scaling up businesses and participating in larger supply chains, particularly in sectors currently being developed in Sarawak such as modern agriculture, the food industry, logistics, tourism, energy, and downstream sectors.
He added that cooperatives must also be strengthened as rural economic catalysts by consolidating production, improving product standards, and helping bring local Sarawak products to wider markets.
"Cooperatives need to move faster in digitalisation and e-commerce to enable cooperatives in areas such as Lawas, Limbang, Kapit, and Belaga to penetrate markets across Malaysia and even abroad. Distance should no longer be a barrier to the market," he said.
-- BERNAMA