Sufi told participants at the 7th Conference of Asia/Pacific Cooperatives Ministers that the Islamic Republic of Iran has over 60,000 cooperative units which are active in various villages and cities, with 15 million members, adding that the sector has an investment portfolio of over $1 billion per annum.
Sufi stated that in line with the policies of the Fourth Five-Year Development Plan, the government has been authorized to draft and implement a plan for the further development of the cooperative sector in order to benefit society and ensure fair distribution of income.
Pointing to the fact that 95 percent of the active cooperatives were established after the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979, he called for further development of cooperatives and said that government officials must draw up guidelines to increase the self-sufficiency of the country through optimal use of the cooperatives.
HK/HG
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MNA