Dili, July 23, 2026 Media Democracia) – The Secretariat of State for Cooperatives (SECoop) holds the inauguration ceremony for the Multi-Sectoral Cooperative and Credit Union Kofre for the Future (CMS-CU KOFFU) structure with eight (8) people, at the São Miguel Arcanjo Surikmas Chapel Hall, Bairro Pite, Dili. This ceremony marks an important step to strengthen cooperative management and development, in order to provide better services to members and contribute to community economic development.
According to SECoop, Arseno Pereira da Silva expressed his gratitude to the Board of Directors, Fiscal Council, the entire structure and all members who today received their inauguration because they have been able to make a major contribution to economic development through initiative and creativity in carrying out all activities.
“My congratulations to the Board President and the President of the Fiscal Council with their structure including all members as Timorese who have already contributed to the development of this country because the cooperative sector is very important, sometimes many people still don’t recognize and don’t really understand what a cooperative is because cooperatives are actually something our ancestors practiced, especially in Timor. A cooperative isn‘t for an individual, but a cooperative is about us working together and trusting each other so that we can pool something together and we all become owners when we all get involved in one group including an association and become a cooperative.” Said SECoop Arseno Pereira da Silva at the São Miguel Arcanjo Surikmas Hall, Bairro Pite 21/07/2026.
He added that he is very happy because the group with the initiators managed to transform their own institute into a cooperative that becomes an economic pillar for our beloved country Timor-Leste.
“This cooperation has already contributed and provided support to members to sustain their families. We are happy with the name credit and multi-sectoral for all members. We are aware that when we get involved in this, we place primary cooperation as a source of income for our families, communities, and this country can become a shelter for members and uphold the values and principles of the universal cooperative.” Arseno continued.
In addition, as President of the Multi-Sectoral Cooperative and Credit Union Kofre Ba Futuru (CMS-CU KOFFU), he said that currently there are 232 members spread across all 13 Municipalities carrying out activities.
“We have 232 members who are currently spread throughout Timor-Leste, especially in the 13 Municipalities, each carrying out their activities. Right now we are still focusing only on credit because we have just legally received the inauguration. This cooperative is multi-sectoral, so clearly going forward we will also certify products and activities. Right now we have statutes and have just been legalized. We will report future activities, but we will create an assembly to decide what to increase going forward. For now, provisionally, from the start in 2004 until now we have only focused on credit.” The President said.
Meanwhile, in this inauguration the structure of the Multi-Sectoral Cooperative and Credit Union Kofre (CMS-CU KOFFU) consists of 8 people, 5 people on the Board of Directors including the President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Members/Board, and 3 people on the Fiscal Council including the President, Secretary, and Member/Board.
Report By: Trainees Lourenço and Santina
Photo: Trainee Santina