Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurates Cooperative Expo

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday underscored the need for measures that help to preserve the confidence that the public has reposed in the State’s cooperative sector.

Mr. Vijayan was speaking after inaugurating the Cooperative Expo organised by the Department of Cooperation at the Kanakakkunnu Palace grounds.

Cooperatives function as the backbone of the State’s economy, Mr. Vijayan said. The number of cooperatives has gone up from approximately 3,000 at the time of the creation of the State to nearly 23,000. Deposits have soared to ₹2.5 lakh crore. This growth shows the confidence people have in the sector, which calls for actions that help preserve it, he said.

The sector has created five lakh employment opportunities over the past four years. It has also made big strides in the area of value addition, the Chief Minister said. He urged cooperatives to enter the production sector, which would also help generate more jobs.

More than 200 stalls

The 2025 edition of the expo, which is on till April 30, showcases products and services from the cooperative sector. The event features more than 200 stalls. Minister for Cooperation V.N. Vasavan presided over the inaugural function.

The expo, which kicked off on Monday, also features seminars on 12 topics pertinent to the sector. 122 delegates, including representatives from the U.S., Indonesia, Fiji and Spain, will be attending the sessions, according to the department.