Co-operative Society Registration Botswana : Ministry of Trade & Industry

Name of the Organization : Ministry of Trade & Industry
Type of Facility : Co-operative Society Registration
Country : Botswana

Official Website : http://www.mti.gov.bw/home

Coo-operative Societies Registration :

Selebi Phikwe CO-OPA co-operative Society is a business enterprise formed by a group of people who have common social and economic needs.

Related : Ministry of Trade & Industry Business/Trademark & Company Name Search Botswana  : www.statusin.org/5116.html

How are Co-operative Societies different from other forms of businesses :
** Co-operative Societies are registered in accordance with the Co-operative Societies Act.
** Members have equal rights regardless of the shareholding (one-member, one-vote)
** Provides a balance between social and economic needs of the members
** They are guided by the Co-operative Principles as adopted by the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA)

Registration :
To register a Co-operative Society download the registration form below.

Download Here : http://www.mti.gov.bw/coops

There are five (5) types of co-operatives in Botswana :
** Multipurpose Co-operative Societies – supply both consumer commodities and agricultural services to their members and the local community.
** Consumer Co-operative Societies – provide a wide range of retail to both rural and urban communities.
** Producer Co-operative Societies – make products or offer a service to sell for profit where the workers are members or worker-owners; they work in the business, govern it and manage it;
** Marketing Co-operative Society – find better markets for members’ produce and provide credit and other inputs to increase members’ production levels; and
** Savings and Credit Co-operative Societies (SACCOS) – members pool their savings together with the aim of obtaining loans from their pooled resources for provident (carefully planned future needs) and productive purposes.

How To Start A Co-Operative Society :
Step 1 : Contact the nearest Co-operative Development Office
Co-operative Development Offices are located strategically across the country (link).

Step 2 : Be part of, or form a group
Remember, a Co-operative Society is about a group of individuals and not just one person.

Step 3 : Establish the purpose of your Co-operative Society
Different types of Co-operative Societies serve different purposes. Ask yourselves : What common needs do you intend to satisfy-

Step 4 : Carry-out a feasibility/viability study.
Carry out a study to determine the economic and financial viability of the proposed Co-operative Society. Download guidelines here

Step 5 : Formulate bye-laws (Regulations) for your Society
Formulate bye-laws which will govern the operations of the Co-operative Society.

Step 6 : Registration
Submit the following to the nearest office :
** Filled application form (with list of all the members)
** Three (3) signed copies of the bye-laws
** Feasibility study report
** Three (3) proposed names of the co-operative society
** The prescribed fee

Fees :
The application fee is P20

Contact Details :
The Permanent Secretary
Private Bag 004, Gaborone, Botswana
Tel : +267 3601 200, Fax: +267 397 1539
Email : mtihq@gov.bw
Office Hours : Monday to Friday
Morning 07 :30-12:45,
Afternoon 13 :45 – 16:30.