Cooperatives on the island will shortly benefit from a three-day seminar to be hosted by the International Labour Organisation in association with the Cooperatives Department of the Ministry of Industry, International Business, Commerce and Small Business Development.
The seminar will be held from Monday, March 18 to Wednesday, March 20, from 9:30 a.m. until 4:15 p.m. at the Cooperatives Department, Thomas Daniel Building, Hincks Street, Bridgetown.
According to the Registrar of Cooperatives, Sharon Drayton, the seminar will expose participants to several areas, including Strategic Planning; Conduct of Meetings; Values and Principles of Cooperatives; Management of Cooperatives; Business Planning and Corporate Governance.
Citing the benefits of the cooperatives to society the Registrar said: "Cooperatives should be seen as a viable option when persons are embarking on new business ventures."?? She further added that the Cooperative movement has weathered the current economic crisis far better than other forms of business, since persons working together and adhering to the co-operatives principles and values helped to mitigate the risk to any one person.
There are 11 cooperatives on the island, excluding the credit unions.