The Cooperative Development Board (CDB) of the Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICMAI) hosted an event on the theme “Building a Cooperative Mindset: Encouraging Cooperative Start-Ups” on 19 March 2025 at SCOPE Auditorium, New Delhi. The event convened policymakers, cooperative leaders, and young cost accounting students and entrepreneurs to deliberate on the potential of cooperative enterprises in India’s evolving economic landscape.

Mr. Ganesh Gopal, Lead – Environment & Agriculture at ICA-AP, delivered an insightful session on “Fostering Entrepreneurial Cooperatives: Pathways for Sustainable and Scalable Models.” His presentation highlighted key trends in cooperative entrepreneurship, focusing on how digital transformation, policy frameworks, and innovative governance models can enhance the sustainability of cooperative enterprises. He emphasized the role of cooperatives in bridging economic inequalities and fostering youth engagement in sectors such as agriculture, platform-based gig work, and emerging industries. The session also explored successful case studies of cooperative start-ups in Asia-Pacific, offering actionable recommendations for aspiring cooperative entrepreneurs in the context of India’s cooperative ecosystem.

The  inaugural session was addressed by senior functionaries from the cost accounting fraternity in India, including CMA Mr. Navneet Kumar Jain, (Chairman, CDB), followed by special addresses from CMA Mr. Neeraj Joshi, (Chairman of the Committee on Artificial Intelligence), CMA Mr. Santosh Pant, (Chairman of NIRC of ICMAI), CMA Dr. D.P. Nandy, Secretary, ICMAI and former ICMAI President CMA Mr. Sanjay Gupta.

The Guest of Honour, Mr. Kapil Meena, IAS, Director, Ministry of Cooperation, provided valuable insights on government initiatives supporting cooperative enterprises. The dignitaries and expert speakers together released the ‘Guidance Note on Cooperative Societies’.

Another key session was led by CMA Dr. S.K. Gupta, Managing Director of ICMAI Registered Valuers Organization, on “Leveraging Cooperative Start-Ups for Building Viksit Bharat.” The discussions reinforced the significance of strengthening cooperative governance, financial management, and strategic planning for emerging cooperative enterprises.

A key takeaway from the event was the exploration of future collaborations for cooperatives within the CDB at ICMAI, including potential joint research studies, capacity-building programs for ICMAI students as well as cooperators, and greater promotion of the International Year of Cooperatives (IYC 2025).