KOTA KINABALU: More than 10,000 people visited the 2023 National Cooperative Day (HKN) celebrations held for the first time in Sabah.
Minister of Entrepreneurship and Cooperative Development Datuk Ewon Benedick said the HKN celebration in Sabah had successfully achieved its goals and received a very encouraging response.
“The National Cooperative Day held here is one of the best platforms for local entrepreneurs to establish cooperation with entrepreneurs from abroad.
“After conducting a survey and visiting almost all 200 exhibitors who participated in the exhibition during HKN, I was informed that their sales were very good and received a very encouraging response.
“Some have also managed to get cooperation with other cooperatives to market their products and services,” he said.
He said this when met by reporters after officiating the HKN 2023 closing ceremony here, today.
Ewon, who is also Penampang MP, said many participants from Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak also exhibited here, partnering with cooperatives in Sabah to successfully display and sell their products.
“Cooperatives in Sabah will also work with them to market their respective products.
“We organise HKN in Sabah so that the cooperative movement can be empowered, strengthen cooperation among cooperatives and open up opportunities for Malaysians, especially in Sabah, to be equally involved in this movement,” he said.
Hosted by the Ministry of Entrepreneurship and Cooperative Development through its agency, the Cooperative Commission of Malaysia (SKM), HKN was held from 21 July to today at the Sabah International Conference Center (SICC), near here.
A variety of interesting events were held during the three-day celebration, including exhibitions/products and services of cooperatives and entrepreneurs, Juaran Madani Koperasi (JMK), food truck sales, and e-sports and mini-game exhibitions.
There will also be exhibitions and workshops on ministries, corporate services, business matching, Let’s Enter IPT programs and ‘Let’s Find Work’ as well as sharing on the successes of cooperatives.