Brasília, 7/7/2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - On Friday president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva announced an action plan consisting of a series of measures with the objective of strengthening cooperativism in Brazil. "Cooperativisim can be used as leverage in our efforts to achieve more balanced development in Brazil. That is why the government is working to strengthen it, through modernization and by giving it a more relevant role in the economy," said the president. The measures were announced at a ceremony celebrating International Cooperativism Day.

Among the measures announced was the release of R$12 million to create an adequate foundation for family farming cooperatives in land reform settlements. Another R$15 million will be used in human resource development. A draft law allowing civil servants to participate in running cooperatives is also being sent to congress.

Meanwhile, the ministers of Agriculutre, Roberto Rodrigues, and Mines and Energy, Dilma Rousseff, have signed a protocol of intentions for the promotion of cooperativism in rural electrification and universalization of access to electicity projects.

A work group consisting of representatives of ten ministries, the Central Bank and the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) was also set up to study proposals for the implantation of a cooperativism development plan.

At the moment, some 5 million Brazilians belong to cooperatives in 13 economic segments. (AB)