The theme of the day is "Micro-finance is our business! Co-operating out of poverty".

Co-operatives have been providing micro finance services to people throughout the world for over 100 years and the International Co-operative Alliance calls on co-operators to observe the day.

Prime Minister Khaleda Zia gave a message on the occasion of 83rd International Cooperative Day.

In her message, Khaleda said cooperative movement is playing an important role in poverty alleviation, employment generation and socio-economic development of the country.

Prime Minister has congratulated the co-operators in Bangladesh.

Cooperative movement has become an effective platform for improving living standard and social progress of poor people worldwide, she mentioned in the message.

Cooperative department and different cooperative organisations have chalked out different programme to mark the day.

LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan will inaugurate a cooperative programme, organised by the department at the cooperative Bhaban Saturday. He will also lead a procession.