KUALA LUMPUR: The Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry plans to launch the Madani Sales Bazaar of Cooperatives and Entrepreneurs in line with the ministry's efforts to help the government deal with the issue of the rising cost of living.
Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick said the bazaar is expected to be launched this April in Perak.
Regarding the proposed concept of local grocery shops through cooperation with cooperatives, he said the involvement of cooperatives in wholesaling and retailing activities continues to be encouraged with the establishment of 2,581 cooperative grocery shops known as Coopmart nationwide.
"From 2021 to 2022, the Coopmart network was involved in organising the 'Jualan Koperasi Prihatin Rakyat', 'Jualan Harga Patut Koperasi', 'Jualan Murah Keluarga Malaysia' and 'Jualan Murah Keluarga Malaysia Siswa' with price savings between 15 and 20 per cent of the market price totalling RM9.28mil.
"Starting March 2023, SKM (Cooperative Societies Commission) through the Coopmart network in the districts will implement the cooperative cheap sale initiative that offers basic daily necessities up to 20% cheaper than the market price," he said when winding up debate on the Supply Bill 2023 in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday (March 9). - Bernama
