The seven countries are Malaysia, Iran, Vietnam, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Brunei Darussalam.Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia will soon team up with seven countries to develop cooperatives, small and medium enterprises in yet another move to enable them to withstand the global economic crisis, a minister said.
"We have held bilateral talks with the seven countries and some of them have asked us to cooperate in developing cooperatives, small and medium businesses," Cooperatives, Small and Medium Businesses Minister Sjarifuddin Hasan said here on Wednesday.
The seven countries are Malaysia, Iran, Vietnam, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Brunei Darussalam.
The talks with representatives of the seven countries have agreed on a plan to cooperate in developing cooperatives, small and medium businesses, he said.
"We have agreed to sign a MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) on the exchange of experience in developing cooperatives, small and medium businesses to enable them to develop their businesses as well as on other areas of cooperation," he said.
The minister said the common agreement was necessary to lay a basis for the establishment of global marketing networks to face the global economic crisis.
He said Indonesia is among the few countries that have received special appreciation from International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) President Dame Pauline Green in terms of cooperatives, small and medium businesses development during the 9th Asia-Pacific Ministers` Conference in Bangkok, Thailand, late last month.
"We also have been advised to nominate our cooperatives through ICA for inclusion in the Global 300 List," he said.
He said many cooperatives in the country are qualified for inclusion in the Global 300 List.
According to ICA, more than 100 million people are currently employed at cooperatives worldwide.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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