As part of the ICA Global Conference to be held between 14-16 November in Kuala Lumpur, there will be a specific session on trade. Titled Co-op to co-op trade: Taking existing achievements to scale, it will take place on November 15 from 11:00-12:30 at Lagoon 1, Level 15 of the Sunway Resort Hotel.

Coop-2-Coop trade is a topic of interest to the Alliance and its members and have long discussed. Yet the achievement of a global facility that could increase the overall share of C2C trade remains elusive. Meanwhile, co-operatives around the world are solidifying their presence on global trade markets using e-commerce platforms and methodologies to achieve scale. What can we learn from these examples for national and regional development? Rather than reinvent the wheel, can we borrow and maximize on achievements and help make these tools reproducible in other parts of the world? This session will present some existing platforms and open a discussion for how these can be re-created in different regions and sectors for increased C2C trade.

The panelists who will share their initiatives are:

1. Fabiola Motta, Manager of Institutional Relations, Organization of Brazilian Cooperatives     
2. Zhang Xiaohong, Division Chief, All China Federation of Supply and Marketing Cooperatives  
3. Craig Presland, CEO, Cooperative Business, New Zealand
4. Mohamed Es Fih, eSolutions for Business Advisor, International Trade Center
5. Shaharuddin Bin Mohammed, CEO, MyAngkasa

There will also be a networking session the same day from 16:00-17:00 at the venue of the Malaysian Cooperative exhibition (MACCOPS). The networking session is to meet and greet fellow co-operators interested in developing business contacts. This is an occasion for informal conversation with other participants that are also interested in trade opportunities among co-operatives. Here, co-operative producers and purchasers from around the world, will have a chance to speak with Malaysian co-operatives about their products for export. Additionally, representatives from co-operatives active in international purchasing and selling will present their experiences. This will be an informal networking moment which will be lightly moderated.  

We welcome you all to join the learn and networking session.