Addis Ababa, April.23(ENA)--A three-day workshop and experience sharing forum began here on Friday to improve the operational structures of cooperatives in the Tigray State to helping economic development activities.

Study papers will be discussed upon on themes revolving around the activities carried out so far by cooperatives in Ethiopia and their future visions as well as the constraints faced by the cooperatives and the support being provided to them by the government.

President of the Mekele University Dr. Mitiku Haile told participants of the forum to look deeply into the problems related to budgetary and human resource utilization by the cooperatives and to put forth visionary recommendations for the enhancement of the cooperatives to enable them play due roles in development endeavors.

Dr. Mitiku pledged the University's and the Government's continued support in the activities of the cooperatives aimed at changing the lives of members for the better and helping realize the government's poverty reduction strategy.

Participants during the opening session deliberated on the study paper presented to them by the Federal Cooperatives Commissioner Haile Gebre.

The Mekele University and the Tigray Cooperatives Promotion jointly organized the workshop and experience sharing forum.

More than 100 professionals and students drawn from Alemaya, Jimma, Ambo and Mekele higher learning institutions are in attendance.

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