Celebrating Cooperation; Co-operative Expo at Kanakakkunnu

Thiruvananthapuram: The third edition of the Cooperative Expo is taking place at Kanakakkunnu Palace premises in Thiruvananthapuram. Organized by the Kerala State Cooperative Department, this eight-day event highlights the achievements of the cooperative sector, bringing together people from across India and abroad to share ideas and success from the cooperative sector.
This event aims to provide a global platform for showcasing the accomplishments of cooperative sectors and exploring alternative economic models that address current global issues. The event aligns with the United Nations’ declaration of 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives, under the slogan “Cooperatives Build a Better World”.
The event was inaugurated on Monday, with Dr. Prem Kumar, Minister of Corporation, Bihar, as the chief guest. Kerala Corporation Minister V. N. Vasavan accompanied him at the event. Prominent figures from the cooperative sector, including Gopi Kottamurikkal (Chairman of the Kerala State Cooperative Bank), along with senior officials from Kerala Cooperative departments, also participated in the event.

The expo, spread over 70,000 sq ft, features 260 stalls showcasing more than 400 items made by cooperatives. The event features 12 seminars, attended by around 120 delegates from across the country. Around 20 experts are presenting papers, while experts from Australia and Spain are attending online.
The expo also includes a cooperative film festival, a food court, and various cultural events. It offers a platform for various cooperatives across the state and beyond to launch new products. There will also be discussions on the growth of cooperatives at state, national, and global levels, along with the challenges and solutions in the field.
The expo and seminar assess the contribution of cooperatives to the Kerala economy, discussing the models and success stories of the movement that scripted socio-economic development.

The seminars cover topics like “Effective Fund Management in Cooperatives for a Better Tomorrow,” “Cooperatives in Industrial Development,” “Role of Cooperatives in Industrial Development,” “Role of Cooperatives in Tourism Development,” “Role of Cooperatives in Healthcare; Value-Added Products,” “Kerala Cooperative Success Stories,” “Cooperatives for Job Creation,” “Cooperatives in Agriculture – Transforming Kerala into a Horticulture Hub,” and “Cooperatives vs Corporations – A Democratic Alternative.”
The cooperative movement in Kerala has a crucial role in various sectors, including healthcare, education, tourism, women’s empowerment, infrastructure development, and poverty alleviation. The state currently has more than 23,000 cooperative institutions, showing its deep commitment to the economic sector.
The officials and the state government expect a significant turnout of industry experts, policymakers, and the public, making the expo a crucial event for the future of the cooperative sector.