Traditional Cooperatives Urged to Be Equipped with Modern System

Traditional and old cooperatives are no more used in contemporary world of today and should be replaced by modern cooperatives system.
Announcing the above in an interview with our reporter, Dr. DIETMAR ROESSL, a veteran lecturer at University of Austria and instructor of Economy urged that old and traditional cooperatives should be replaced by modern cooperatives, observing requirements of international standards.
He is one of key speakers at ۱st Intl. Conference on Advantages and Capacities of Cooperatives in Economic and Social Development which is underway in Tehran. He further noted that industrial cooperatives are on the verge of losing its prestige, adding: «Such risk is felt in other European countries as well.»
Old cooperatives started their activities approx. 50 years ago, so that their activities are beyond concept of cooperatives and should be revamped with new and modern system, he observed. According to him, cooperatives can focus their activities on the following three topics: Banking, ECO Culture and Household activities and these pillars have been taken into serious consideration in Europe and North America. He pointed to the organizing this prestigious conference which can help promote current situation of cooperatives in the country optimally. Turning to the activities of cooperatives in Iran, he said: «Earlier, I had heard that cooperatives in Iran are supported by the government which is different from what is practiced in other countries.»
The said issue indicates that new strategy has been formed in Iran for supporting activities of cooperatives, he maintained.
Turning to the number of cooperatives in Austria, he said: «Number of cooperatives in Austria has experienced a declining trend.»
As home to eight million people, the number of cooperatives in Austria stood at ۳۲۰ in ۱۹۷۰, the rate of which has topped ۱,۰۰۰ at the current situation, he noted.
With regard to the status of cooperatives in future, he said: «Old and traditional cooperatives should be replaced by modern ones, the issue of which has been taken into serious consideration in contemporary world of today.»
Considering the ageing population of world, cooperatives tasked with caring old people are on the verge of growth in world as well, he opined.
In the end, veteran university lecturer in Austria said: «I have been tasked with helping cooperatives in line with improving relationship between managers of cooperatives with their members.»