Ahmedabad witnessed a major push for strengthening the cooperative credit sector as over 550 representatives participated in the State Level Co-operative Credit Societies Seminar–2026, organised by the Gujarat State Co-operative Credit Societies Federation Ltd. The seminar focused on making credit societies sustainable and future-ready amid evolving economic and technological challenges.
Presiding over the event, Ghanshyambhai Amin underscored the growing global relevance of cooperatives, noting that such institutions now operate across 118 countries and are playing an expanding role in inclusive development. Highlighting the vision of “Prosperity through Cooperation,” he said cooperative enterprises are critical to building a self-reliant and developed India.
Inaugurating the seminar, Omprakash Koyte stressed the historical and economic partnership between Gujarat and Maharashtra in strengthening the cooperative movement. He called for deeper collaboration between the two states and urged policymakers to extend banking-like benefits to credit societies, including insurance coverage, recovery mechanisms and access to low-interest funding similar to Primary Agricultural Credit Societies.
A major theme of the seminar was digital transformation. Speakers emphasised that credit societies must adopt modern technologies, including online services and transparent digital systems, to enhance efficiency and maintain trust among members. Rajashritai Patil highlighted that technology adoption is no longer optional but essential for survival in a competitive financial environment.
The seminar also drew attention to national-level cooperative initiatives. Amin pointed to the success of National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL), which has enabled farmers to access export markets while generating strong financial returns. He also cited emerging ventures like Bharat Sahakar Taxi as examples of innovation within the cooperative framework.
Participants were encouraged to diversify operations, improve governance and adopt transparent practices. Ravindrasinh Rana stressed the need for digitalisation and business expansion to empower both societies and their members. Experts also shared insights on legal reforms, business expansion strategies and regulatory updates affecting credit cooperatives.
The event featured sessions by industry experts and former regulators, covering topics such as amendments in cooperative laws and dispute resolution mechanisms. Organisers said the seminar aimed to equip societies with the tools needed to remain competitive and sustainable.
Overall, the seminar reinforced the idea that cooperative credit institutions must evolve through innovation, collaboration and policy support to remain relevant. With a strong emphasis on technology, governance and inter-state cooperation, the sector is positioning itself as a key pillar in India’s rural and semi-urban financial ecosystem. 
