1,000 cooperators participated in the opening event of EXPOCOOP 2014 in Curitiba, Brazil
Expocoop 2014 was defined as “one of the main windows for cooperatives worldwide”. Its opening session gathered more than 1,000 people from 15 countries, representatives form all the Brazilian regions and authorities from the International Cooperative Alliance.
The most important trade fair of the cooperative movement was held from 15 to 17 May. During these days, more than 6,000 people visited it and got to kwow all cooperatives have to offer. The 170 booths that served as showcase for the public to know more details about the products and services offered by cooperatives worldwide.
Marcio Lopes de Freitas, president of Sistema OCB said he was proud of the fair. “It is a mirror for cooperatives, and it shows we can be much more”.
The event boasted an intense and diversified program, aimed at promoting business among cooperatives globally and at making existing business more visible. In the framework of the EXPOCOOP, there were several parallel events that tried to define the future of the sector.
BRICS
One of the most relevant discussions took place during the 4th Cooperative Meeting of the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa).
Representatives from all the countries showed how the cooperatives are structured in each nation and which the main challenges are in the short and medium terms.
The president of the International Cooperative Alliance (ACI), Pauline Green, highlighted the sector’s strength in Parana and its wide participation in the export sector. She said the next step is to amplify the cooperation with other countries. “We have to amplify the negotiations between cooperatives and reduce the middleman, who still keeps a great part of the profit in these processes.” Green stated.
The International Cooperative Alliance was represented in the event by Dame Pauline Green, President of the International Cooperative Alliance, Manuel Mariño, Regional Director of Cooperatives of the Americas and Marianella Ramirez, responsible for the Area of Products and Services of Cooperatives of the Americas.