Strengthening of Consumer Co-operatives in Asia-Pacific,

Abstract

In Asia-Pacific Region, growth and development of Consumer Cooperatives reflects divergent patterns and directions. While in some countries, these cooperatives were recognized as an institutional arrangement by the Govt, for implementing public distribution system to ensure availability of essential commodities in the situation of scarcity, in others, they emerged with the initiatives of consumers to protect themselves from the exploitation of market forces. However, the fast changing scenario of retail market due to globalization is generating a great deal of pressure on consumer cooperatives to adapt themselves with the change and to shed their traditional attitudes and business strategies. Obviously this calls for a critical review and appraisal of institutional structure, business strategy, operations and management of consumer cooperatives for their effective repositioning and sustainability in the changed context. Viewed in this perspective, JCCU supported consumer cooperative development project of ICA Asia-Pacific, undertook critical studies of consumer cooperatives in India, Sri Lanka, Philippines and Vietnam in 2004. The findings of critical studies were deliberated in two sub-regional workshops (South Asia and ASEAN sub-regions) and National Workshops in respective countries to formulate country-specific strategy and Action Plans for strengthening consumer coops.