Saigon Co.op and the Women’s Union of HCM City held a meeting in HCM City on January 17 to review the results of their co-operation activities last year and set tasks for this year. — VNS Photo

The co-operation programme between the Saigon Union of Trading Co-operatives (Saigon Co.op) and the Women’s Union of HCM City in the 2012-17 period achieved good results, especially in expanding the distribution of price-stabilised goods in outlying districts and residential areas, according to the latter.

There are now 68 shops run by the two, mainly in Binh Chanh, Cu Chi, Hoc Mon and other suburban districts.

Saigon Co.op and the Women’s Union of HCM City held a meeting in the city on Wednesday to review the results of their co-operation activities last year and set tasks for this year.

This year they will improve the format of the shops and build new stores based on Co.op Smile model, creating jobs and improving incomes for the women’s union’s members.

They plan to organise fact-finding trips for their members to places that breed/plant fresh foods to VietGap and other food safety standards.

They agreed to fund as well as mobilise two other partners to fund the magazine Thong tin Gia dinh và Doi sang (Family Information and Life), which is likely to be launched in the four quarter to provide information about Vietnamese products and tell consumers how to choose and use safe products.

They will organise social welfare programmes to support disadvantaged members of the Women’s Union overcome financial difficulties.

They will also carry out research to implement the integrated membership card programme incorporating software to manage members of the Women’s Union and loyal clients of Saigon Co-op. — VNS