Cooperatives key to reducing rural poverty, boosting economy: Rizvi

The cooperative movement can play a vital role in reducing rural poverty, creating small entrepreneurs and ensuring women’s economic empowerment, BNP Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has said.

He made the remarks as the chief guest at a discussion marking National Cooperative Day 2026 at a resort in Gazipur’s Kaliganj.

Rizvi said cooperatives were built on people’s own initiatives and collective efforts, adding that a successful cooperative could be established through goodwill, sincerity and a shared commitment, without relying on government patronage or the support of local influential figures.

He said the core objective of cooperatives was to bring people together voluntarily to work towards social and economic development.

Cooperatives could particularly help protect the interests of farmers and small businesses by reducing exploitation and the influence of intermediaries, he added.

Rizvi also said the cooperative movement had lost momentum in recent years, but the current government had taken a major initiative to expand agricultural and socioeconomic development through cooperatives.

He said the movement could help improve the lives of marginalised rural communities and create employment opportunities.

Cooperatives could also contribute to overall economic and social development, reduce illiteracy and create entrepreneurs through training, he said. Engaging young people in productive work could also help keep them away from social decay and unethical activities.

Speakers at the event called on people at all levels to take initiatives to form cooperatives and make the rural economy more dynamic.