The Co-operative Societies Unit is responsible for the Revitalization and Development of Cooperatives program, which contributes to meeting the common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations of its members through jointly owned and democratically controlled enterprises.

It is administered by an Act of parliament and managed by a Registrar with two Deputy Registrars who are appointed by the Minister responsible for Commerce & Industry as mandated by the Cooperative Societies Act.

The Principal functions of Co-operative Societies Unit (CSU):

1. To Effect the facilitation process and provide support services for the development of the Co-operative Societies movement in PNG, particularly the primary co-operatives to harness real development amongst the rural people.

2. Also to become the main driver for implementing and growing the MSME sector through cooperatives in PNG.

The Co-operative Societies Movement was introduced in Papua New Guinea in 1947, just after World War 2 by the Colonial (Australian) Government under a legislation called the Native Societies Ordinaries which later became the Co-operative Societies Ordinance (1965).

Well over 500 Co-operative Societies were then set up around the country enabling people to plant cash crops, build retail stores of consumer necessities and obtain credit to finance activities of their respective Co-operative Societies. These were vibrant business organizations which worked well and effectively serviced the rural areas in the 1950’s, 60’s and to some extent the 70’s.

The Co-operative Societies Ordinance (1965) was then repealed in 1975 by the then House of Assemblies which showed the demise of the Co-operative Societies Movement in PNG. Co-operatives operating at that time were either transformed into companies under the Companies Act, or Business Associations under the Business Groups Act. Some Co-operatives are still in operation but may well be operating under other names or a different business structure. The Act governing the Co-operatives Societies was again re-enacted in 1981 leading to what is currently called the Co-operative Societies (Amended) Act, 1985.

1) According to the Co-operative Societies (Amended) Act, 1985, a group of people of a Community or village numbering seven (7) or more and are 18 years or older can form a Co-operative Society.

2) The group then must organize a meeting and must be attended by seven (7) or more people.

3) This meeting is basically to arouse and solicit the interest of people and issues such as the following should be discussed;/p>

• (a)The Name of the Society;
• (b)The Objectives of the Society;
• (c)The kind of business activity to involve in;
• (d)A confirmed list of Members of the Society;
• (e)Election of Directors and Officers of the Society;
• (f)The Rules of the Society.

4) Obtain an application Form for registration from the Office of the Registrar of Co-operatives or your Provincial Commerce Division office and complete all information required in the form.

5) Forward Application Forms to the Office of the Registrar of Co-operatives with the Registration Fee of K25.00. Registration Fee must be paid to the Office of the Registrar of Co-operative Societies through the Co-operative Societies bank account.

The Bank Details:

Account Name: “Co-operative Societies of PNG – Registrar’s Office”

Account No: 1000 877772

Bank: BSP Waigani

Branch Number: 8968

6) The Office of the Registrar of Co-operatives will screen the Application and if there are anomalies, the application will be returned with instructions for correction. If the application meets all requirements, then it will be processed and a Certificate of Incorporation will be issued.

• Steps To Form Co-operative Society.
• Co-operative Society Rules / Constitution.
• Co-operative Societies Application Form.
• Meeting Agendas For Forming Co-operative Society.