Diploma in Cooperative Business Management launched

The course, MQA-approved and of 1000-hour duration, aims at infusing a new dynamism into the Mauritian Cooperative Movement so as to give it a new dimension through professional management. It targets primarily Cooperators and entrepreneurs, holders of a Certificate in Cooperative Management awarded by the NCC.

In his keynote address, Minister Bholah recalled that since 1913 the cooperative movement in Mauritius has played a crucial role in the promotion of socio-economic progress while adding that cooperatives should now be guided towards doing inclusive business and should have a significant impact on poverty reduction, employment generation and social integration.

He underlined that this course represents a milestone for the NCC and is expected to foster entrepreneurial attitudes and innovation at the centre of Mauritian Cooperative Movement. As regards the Mauritius Cooperative Alliance Limited (MCA), he underpinned that its role is to reinforce cooperatives and assist them in their operational activities.

Minister Bholah highlighted the role that innovation plays in boosting the performance of enterprises. Adopting innovative approaches and practices will lead to business transformation, new markets, productivity improvement and will enable the economy to make quantum leaps, he emphasised.

However, Mr Bholah pointed out, despite the progress made by cooperatives over the years, many cooperatives are still operating in a traditional way and have not modernised their activities and operations, resulting in low productivity and little profits. Government is therefore providing the appropriate financial, infrastructural and fiscal support to the cooperative movement to promote its development.

Mr Bholah recalled that the NCC collaborates with international institutions to give training to local entrepreneurs. In this regard, a Memorandum of Understanding with the Cooperative College of Malaysia to develop programmes for cooperation in training, education and other knowledge-based activities was signed.