LALITPUR: The 93rd International Cooperative Day has been marked today by organising various programmes in the country.

At a programme in the Capital today, the National Cooperative Association of Nepal honoured different cooperatives for their outstanding performance.

Makawanpur District Dairy Producer Cooperative Association was prized with the Best Cooperative Prize-2071.

Similarly, Shree Laligurans Multipurpose Cooperative in Lalitpur, Nepal Multipurpose Cooperative in Jhapa, Gramin Savings and Credits Cooperative in Nawalparasi, Kasturi Multipurpose Cooperative in Jajarkot and Mahila Jagaran Savings and Credits Cooperative in Makawanpur were awarded with the Best Cooperative Business Prize-2071.

Awarding the winner, Finance Minister Ram Sharan Mahat said that the country was able to face challenges caused by the earthquake owing to sentiments of cooperation. Supports from the international community were also received as per the same sentiments, he added.

The Finance Minister also said that reconstruction of the thousands of quake-damaged houses should start soon.

Likewise, former minister and advisor of the Association, Ganesh Sah, said that the cooperatives should play leading roles to provide technical education at the local level.

Also speaking at the programme, Chief Secretary Leela Mani Paudyal said that cooperatives should provide equal support to all considering the gap between the rich and the poor in the reconstruction of quake-damaged properties.

Similarly, lawmaker and Association Chairman, Keshav Badal, said that the cooperatives across the nation are working for the interest of communities.