Dili, July 4, 2025 (Média Democracia) – The State Secretariat for Cooperatives (SEKoop) held a coordination meeting with development partners who have supported the government in implementing cooperative services across the country. The forum took place at Beach Garden, Pantai Kelapa, on Wednesday.
The Secretary of State for Cooperatives, Arsénio Pereira, stated that this meeting marked a significant opportunity for SEKoop to reflect on the collective journey and progress made in cooperative services. He emphasized that the Constitution recognizes cooperatives as a key component, alongside the public and private sectors, in building a strong and inclusive economy.
“The cooperative movement is not new in Timor-Leste, but it needs renewal, energy, and strong partnerships to grow. We cannot work alone. We must collaborate with agencies and institutions, but we also recognize that there’s still much to be done,” said Secretary Arsénio Pereira.
He further emphasized the crucial role of cooperatives in improving livelihoods in rural communities by engaging youth, providing access to finance, and connecting smallholder farmers to markets.
“We believe that developing the cooperative sector is not only an economic priority but also a tool to help us achieve sustainable development goals globally and contribute significantly to our nation,” the SEKoop Secretary added.
He explained that this forum aimed to identify both challenges and opportunities, strengthen the spirit of cooperation among cooperatives, evaluate the achievements made by development partners, and address the obstacles faced, while jointly planning for the future.
“Thanks to the support of our development partners, many cooperatives that were once inactive or failed are now revived and functioning again,” said Arsénio Pereira.
SEKoop’s mission is to focus on the cooperative sector, recognizing its critical role in national development, as outlined in Article 138 of the Constitution of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, which defines the cooperative sector as a socio-economic pillar for sustainable development.
In terms of progress, the number of cooperatives has increased from around 100 to 245, due to support from development partners. Currently, nearly 39,000 people are involved in cooperatives, collectively managing a capital of approximately $20.4 million. The forum was attended by key development partners including CARE International, international financial cooperation institutions, and others.
Report by: Nelfiano
Photo by: Nelfiano