The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development held the third edition of the Cooperative Sector Forum on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, at the Chamber of Commerce hall in Dammam. The event was held under the patronage of the Deputy Governor of the Eastern Province, with a number of officials and regional leaders in attendance, alongside experts and specialists interested in developing the cooperative sector.

The forum is part of a series of events held by the ministry across the Kingdom's regions, aiming to strengthen partnership between the public and private sectors and achieve sustainable development goals in line with Saudi Vision 2030. The forum reviewed the ministry's future plans and the role of the General Directorate of Cooperative Societies in developing the cooperative sector and empowering cooperatives through workshops and advisory sessions involving an elite group of officials and experts.

The forum highlighted several strategic themes, including enabling economic partnership, strengthening communication between local and international economic entities, and boosting local content, with a focus on supporting entrepreneurship and small businesses to achieve financial sustainability.

A range of advisory sessions were also held on the sidelines of the forum, presented by technical and support bodies for cooperatives, aiming to exchange expertise and provide the necessary support to boost the region's economic and social performance.