Member Profiles

On the 28 May 2010, the ICA welcomed IBERIA into membership. IBERIA has 3,000 members, one-third of which are women who are farmers and former members of ex-Tsekavshiri district co-operative organisations and independent agribusiness companies of Georgia. Activities include implementation of new technologies and machinery on farms and processing plants; promotion and implementation of co-operative development activities; promotion of co-operative export/import activities; agribusiness training; promotion of co-operatives in post-conflicr areas of the country. In 2006, IBERIA members were responsible for 2% of the wine production; 12% honey; 1% meat; 3% milk and dairy products; 2% vegetable; and 805 of the production of medicinal plants in Georgia.

On 28 May 2010, the ICA welcomed IBERIA into membership. IBERIA has 3,000 members, one.-third of which are women who are farmers and former members of ex-Tsekavshiri district co-operative organisations and independent agribusiness companies of Georgia. Activities include implementation of new technologies and machinery on farms and processing plants; promotion and implementation of co-operative development activities; promotion of co-operatives export/import activities; agribusiness training; promotion of co-operatives in post-conflict areas of the country. In 2006, IBERIA members were responsible for 2% of the wine production; 12% honey; 1% meat; 3% milk and dairy products; 2% vegetable; and 80% of the production of medicinal plants in Georgia.

On 20 May 2010, ICA welcomed the Central Co-operative Bank (CCB) of Bulgaria into membership. Established in 1991, CCB is a financial institution with traditions in financing agriculture and agro-processing which holds 2% of the financial market in Bulgaria, Currently it serves agricultural co-operatives and a wide range of private enterprises. In 2007, CCB reported having 5,796 individual members. The bank serves total of 881,318 clients including individuals, companies and co-operatives. CCB has 1,886 employees of which 1,463 are women, For more information, see www.ccbank.bg

On 20 May 2010, ICA welcomed the Central Co-operative Bank (CCB) of Bulgaria into membership. Established in 1991, CCB is a financial institution with traditions in financing agriculture and agro-processing which holds 2% of the financial market in Bulgaria. Currently it serves agricultural co-operatives and a wide range of private enterprises. In 2007, CCB reported having 5,796 individual members. The bank serves total of 881,318 clients including individuals, companies and co-operatives. CCB has 1,886 employees of which 1,463 are women. For more information, see www.ccbank.bg

On 5 May 2010, ICA welcomed VICTO National Co-operative Federation and Development Center (VICTO National) of the Philippines into membership. VICTO National is a federation of co-operative societies which provides various services to members and other clients including education and training, consulting, project development, business incubation and enterprise development. In 2009, VICTO National brought together 250,699 individual members within its 2008 member societies. It employs 30 persons. VICTO National is the only co-operative having received the Benigno S. Aquino Foundation Award for its work in disadvantaged communities. It was also the first awardee for development management sponsored by the World Executive Digest and Japan Airlines.

On 16 July 2009, the ICA welcomed C.A.C. FB into membership. Founded on 19 August 1970, C.A.C. FB is a savings and credit co-operative which provides a wide range pf financial services. In 2007, it counted with 14,000 members. In 2008, C.A.C. FB reported 55 employees, 28 of which are women, PEN 25.5 million (CHF 9 million) in assets; share capital of PEN 19.67 million (CHF 7 million); and deposits totalling USD 3.87 million (CHF 1.4 million). For more information, see www.cacbolognesi.com.pe

On 1 January 2009, the National Society of Accountants for Co-operatives (NSAC) of the United States became an Associate Member of the ICA. NSAC is an association of accountants which represents the needs of co-operative accounting, auditing and tax professionals. Co-operatives use their service to find accountants which specialise in co-operatives. NSAC provides accounting, tax and business education to co-operatives; provide networking and professional development activities for their member accountants; and support co-operative business interests in standard setting processes (legal and regulatory). NSAC's membership is made up of 1,400 individuals. They are a member of ICA's existing member, the National Co-operative Business Association of the United States. See: www.nsacoop.org

Agricultores Federados Argentinos Sociedad Cooperativa Limitada (AFA S.C.L.) of Argentina member of the ICA since June 2008, principally providing marketing facilitities at the national level and exports cereals, oilseeds and other agricultural and livestock production.  However, it also provides a wide range of services including the supply of agricultural inputs and facilitation of access to credit and financial services including insurance for members, provision of consumer goods for its members and employees; the purchase or leasing agricultural land for research and other activities; construction activities for its members and industries, etc..  AFA also liaises with authorities on member concerns including issues such as rural electrification, infrastructure development and agricultural policy. The society has 25,700 individual members and was responsible for 3.65% of total grain production in Argentina.  It provided 4.45% of the national soy production and 3.06% of wheat production in 2007. AFA celebrated its 75^th anniversary in 2007. More info: www.afascl.com

 

The Centro de Estudios y Capacitación Cooperativa R.L. (CENECOOP) of Costa Rica joined the ICA on 10 July 2008 as an associate member.  It is is an educational institute which develops research and educational programmes for its member, co-operative leaders and employees at a national and international level. It promotes co-operation amongst international and national private and public, entities.  The organisation has 18 member societies and 15 employees.  Learn more about CENECOOP at: http://www.cenecoop.com/

India's National Federation of State Co-operative banks Ltd (NAFSCOB) was established on 19 May 1964.