State Cooperative Council discusses actions to strengthen cooperatives in Pará
The collegiate's mission is to coordinate support policies for strengthening cooperativism in the State
Members of the State Cooperative Council (Cecoop) participated on Wednesday afternoon (08) in the 2nd ordinary meeting held at the headquarters of the Secretary of Economic Development, Mining and Energy (Sedeme) in Belém. Presided over by Sedeme, the Council is made up of representatives from 10 institutions, including the Legislative Power, public agencies, and civil society entities. The collegiate's mission is to coordinate support policies for strengthening cooperativism in the State.
The Secretary of State for Economic Development, Mining and Energy, Paulo Bengtson — who also presides over the Council — opened the meeting highlighting the relevance of the sector and the importance of having the Cooperative Board within the organizational structure of Sedeme. According to him, this board represents an institutional advance that reinforces the Government's commitment to the development of Pará's cooperatives.
“Cooperativism is one of the fastest-growing segments in the economy — a thriving sector. Today, a large part of the economic development of Pará occurs through cooperatives. Pará was, among all Brazilian states, the one that generated the most formal jobs in the last quarter. There is no better path than the partnership between the State Government, cooperatives, and the productive sector,” said Paulo Bengston.
During the meeting, new members of the collegiate for the 2025–2027 biennium were introduced. The agenda also included the approval of the Internal Regulations and the presentation of the results of the “Itinerant President” action — an initiative of the OCB/PA System that, in addition to identifying demands and strengthening institutional relationships, promotes inter-cooperation among cooperatives operating in different municipalities. The action is led by President Ernandes Raiol, Superintendent Júnior Serra, and the Director of Cooperativism at Sedeme, Luziane Sena.
Another topic addressed was the proposal for articulation to enable the acquisition of products and services from cooperatives by state secretariats. Pará cooperatives with significant operations in the State were also highlighted.
The president of the State Council of Labor, Employment, and Income of the State of Pará
(Ceter/PA) and also a member of Cecoop, Alberto Villar da Silva Pantoja, was present at the meeting and highlighted the increasingly relevant role of the Council in light of the growing demands of cooperatives. According to him, the performance of cooperatives in the State has exceeded all initial expectations. “The Council was created to regulate, supervise, promote training, and foster the development of the sector. With the participation of various state agencies, there is a concrete opportunity to expand support for cooperatives and strengthen them even further,” he stated.
The Director of Cooperativism at Sedeme (Dcoop/Sedeme), Luziane Sena, emphasized the importance of continuing the work within Cecoop: “This is the second meeting of the collegiate, marking the beginning of another work front in favor of Pará's cooperativism. Today was a very significant meeting, as we approved the Internal Regulations, which will be the guiding and regulatory instrument for the Council's actions.”
Luziane reinforces that the Cooperative Board acts as the Executive Secretariat: “We will work to ensure that its main objective — to formulate public policies for the development and strengthening of cooperative activities — is fully achieved and truly transforms the reality of our cooperatives in the State of Pará,” added the director.
