Cooperatives have the potential to significantly impact different economic sectors through collective action, shared benefits and inclusive solutions if properly managed, says Minister of Entrepreneurship, Mr Karabo Gare.

Speaking at the Botswana Cooperatives Association (BOCA) Pitso in Gaborone on Friday, Mr Gare said issues of corporate governance should be well taken care of as they impacted community development.

Furthermore, he said corporate governance was integral to transforming cooperatives into businesses that could contribute to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

He said issues of procurement needed to be discussed and fused into cooperatives’ strategies, adding that it was only through inclusion that livelihoods could be changed for the better.

The minister noted that cooperatives were inclusive and gave all the opportunity to participate in the economy.