JEDDAH: There are more than 160 cooperative societies in Saudi Arabia, but at least twice that many are needed to help needy families in villages and small towns in large provinces, according to figures given by the Ministry of Social Affairs at a forum. The second forum of cooperative associations, which was opened by the Minister of Social Affairs Dr. Yousef Al-Otheimeen, is focused on ensuring that cooperative societies continue to play a vital role in helping individuals and institutions, making positive changes in cooperative charitable work and increasing the associations' numbers, organizers said. “This forum will provide insights about the achievements of cooperative societies, which provide social services, and it makes it clear that the Saudi government supports social cooperative work,” Dr. Al-Otheimeen said in a speech at the Park Hyatt Hotel, site of the event. He added that Saudi women joined the associations last year, through the cooperative association of Herfah. The forum also provides opportunities to improve the societies' effectiveness and learn from similar organizations around the world, said Majed Darwesh, head of the Organizing Committee and chairman of the board for the Cooperative Society of Saudi Arabian Airlines. “We would like to discuss the strategy of cooperative efforts in the Kingdom and their development,” he said. “The forum will also study new concepts and the practical experience of different cooperative and charitable associations around the world.” The event was organized by the Council of Cooperative Societies and hosted by the Cooperative Society of Saudi Arabian Airlines, under the supervision of the Ministry of Social Affairs. The four-day forum includes sessions to discuss developing cooperative associations throughout Saudi Arabia to ensure citizens receive the services they need. Many families that produce and sell various goods are participating in the event's exhibition, which helps them increase their incomes and supports Saudi products. Darwesh added that the forum will also discuss sources of income for cooperative and charitable associations and how the media can increase public awareness so volunteers help establish new cooperative associations. “We will study how we can develop and establish new charitable societies in the Kingdom to provide voluntary services to people all over the kingdom,” Darwesh said. Dr. Nasser Al-Tweam, chairman of the board of Saudi Cooperative Societies said there are more than 750,000 cooperative societies with more than 8,000,0000 members. “The first cooperative society in Saudi Arabia was founded in 1962 in Diri'ya,” he noted. “The organizations have an important effect on society and we should work together to establish a cooperative society in every district in the Kingdom,” he said. The inauguration ceremony also included a documentary about the history of cooperative societies in Saudi Arabia. Over the years, cooperative work has been becoming increasingly important, said Abdullah Al-Ajhar, Saudia Arabian Airlines' assistant director general for Public Affairs. “The cooperative work has become one of the most important factors to develop and provide services to the society. Saudi Arabian Airlines has provided many social services through sponsorship programs,” he said. Okaz Organization for Press and Publication is the event's main media sponsor.
