The Maharashtra State Cooperative Credit Societies Federation (MAFCOCS), under the leadership of Chairman Kaka Koyate, is making dedicated efforts to ensure the International Cooperative Credit Societies Conference, scheduled for the 8th and 9th of February 2025 in Shirdi, becomes a grand success.
In a bid to secure key participation, Koyate met Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Nagpur on Wednesday, extending a formal invitation for the conference. This meeting followed an earlier interaction with Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah, where Koyate had also invited him to attend the event.
After the meeting, Koyate confirmed that Chief Minister Fadnavis had accepted the invitation and expressed strong support for the cooperative credit movement. The conference is expected to play a crucial role in strengthening cooperative credit societies and enhancing their contributions to the financial ecosystem.
During the discussion, Fadnavis acknowledged the significant role played by the Maharashtra State Cooperative Credit Societies Federation in promoting financial inclusion and cooperative principles. He emphasized that the Federation had brought immense pride to Maharashtra and expressed his enthusiasm for participating in such a landmark event. This statement was later shared through the official social media handle of MAFCOCS.
The invitation event in Nagpur was attended by several prominent dignitaries, including Nagpur Nagarik Sahakari Bank Chairman Sanjay Bhende, Rajudas Jadhav, Sudarshan Bhalerao, and Nagpur District Credit Societies Federation President Rajendra Ghate. Their presence underscored the collective commitment to making the upcoming international conference a resounding success.
The significance of the International Cooperative Credit Societies Conference is further amplified by the global recognition of 2025 as the “International Year of Cooperatives”, a designation made by both the United Nations (UNO) and the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA).
In line with this global initiative, MAFCOCS, which represents over 16,000 cooperative credit societies across Maharashtra, is taking the lead in organizing the conference in Shirdi. The event is expected to draw participation from 16 countries, six Indian states, and more than 10,000 stakeholders, including policymakers, cooperative leaders, financial experts, and grassroots representatives from the cooperative credit movement.
In addition to the confirmed participation of Chief Minister Fadnavis, Maharashtra Revenue Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil has also agreed to serve as the Chief Patron of the event. Kaka Koyate expressed his confidence in the strong support extended by these key leaders, emphasizing that their involvement would significantly enhance the impact of the conference. The organizers extended their heartfelt gratitude to both leaders for their commitment to advancing the cooperative movement.
Maharashtra’s cooperative credit societies play an essential role in financial inclusion, employing over 2 lakh daily collection agents who operate at the grassroots level. These agents facilitate financial transactions by collecting small amounts, ranging from Rs 10 to Rs 100, from individuals across the state.
Through this extensive network, cooperative credit societies maintain daily interactions with approximately 2 lakh families, effectively establishing a direct financial link with nearly 5 to 6 crore people across Maharashtra. This vast reach underscores the critical role of cooperative credit institutions in empowering small savers and strengthening the rural and semi-urban economy.
With enthusiastic participation from national and international stakeholders, the International Cooperative Credit Societies Conference in Shirdi is set to be a landmark event in the global cooperative movement. The efforts of MAFCOCS, under Kaka Koyate’s leadership, reflect a deep commitment to reinforcing cooperative finance, fostering international collaboration, and ensuring the sustainable growth of the cooperative credit sector.