He said these things at an event organized by the Department of Cooperatives at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital on Sunday (November 8), on the occasion of the 55th National Cooperative Day.

The President said, ‘Cooperatives are not just about producing goods or business activities. They are associated with the development of the rural economy, creation of employment, poverty alleviation, and the potential to improve the living standards of marginalized people. To build a self-reliant and self-sufficient Bangladesh by utilizing this potential, cooperatives must be developed as an effective tool.’

Noting that various challenges have emerged in the economy, including the energy crisis, due to the impact of the global war situation, he said, ‘Everyone must come forward unitedly to address these crises and keep the wheels of the economy moving.’

Emphasizing transparency, accountability, and effective management in the development of the cooperative sector, the President said, ‘Many societies have lost their effectiveness due to corruption. To overcome this situation, transparency and accountability must be ensured in cooperative management.’

At the event, the President handed over the National Cooperative Award-2025 to selected individuals and organizations in recognition of their special contributions to the cooperative sector.