Cooperatives Services
In line with the responsibility of Cooperatives Division in the implementation of Cooperative Society Act Chapter 84, the division offers the following services to cooperatives:
- Process the registration of cooperative societies, in-house training
- In-house training of cooperative Societies
- Monitoring and supervisory advices
- Auditing Cooperative account
Cooperative Societies
What are the minimum Requirement to set-up a cooperative?
Primary Cooperatives – consists of at least 30 person
Secondary Cooperatives –at least 2 Primary Cooperatives
Tertiary Cooperatives – at least 2 Secondary Cooperatives
How to qualify as member
- A citizen of Brunei Darussalam or a permanent resident
- Have attained the age of 18 years or, if he is a member of a school co-operative society, have attained the age of 12 years and be a registered student of that school; and meet such other requirements regarding residence, employment and occupation, as may be prescribed by the by-laws.
How to form a Co-operative Society?
Step 1- Contact Cooperatives Division
The Registration Helpdesk is located at:
Level 1, Design and Technology (D&T) Building
Simpang 32-3, Kg. Anggerek Desa Technology Park.
Negara Brunei Darussalam.
The officer and staff of Cooperative Division will provide consultation to people who are interested in forming a cooperative and will provide assistance with all stages of the cooperative development process.
Step 2- Briefing on Cooperative Movement
The briefing will cover the following topics:-
Definition of Cooperative Society
Cooperative Principles and Values
Cooperative Business Structure
Step 3 – Established a Steering (Protem) Committee
The Steering (Protem) Committee will be responsible for:-
Drafting of By-Laws
Prepare a Business Plan / Project Paper
Prepare and hold General Meeting for the establishment of cooperative
Recruit members who are interested in Cooperative Society
Step 4 – Amend By-Laws
The By-Laws state the rights and obligations of the cooperatives, Board of Directors and members and guide the day to day operations of the cooperative. The By-Laws usually specify the following:
- Requirements for membership
- Rights and responsibilities of members
- Grounds and procedures for member expulsion
- Procedures for calling and conducting membership meetings
- Voting procedures
- Procedures to elect or remove directors and officers
- The number, duties, terms of office and compensation of directors and officers
- Time and place of the directors meetings
- Dates of the fiscal year
- Information on how the net earnings will be distributed
- Other rules for management of the cooperative
Step 5 – Hold a General Meeting for the establishment
The Steering Committee must hold a General Meeting for:
- Making decision to register the cooperative
- Submitting the application for registration of the cooperative to the Registrar.
Step 6 – Registration of Co-operative
After the General Meeting has been held, Steering Committee has to submit application for the registration of co-operative to the Registrar. According to Section 6(2) of Co-operative Societies Act, the following documents should be provided:
- Application letter for registration is to be submitted to the Registrar and it shall be signed by the
Membership
- 3 copies of proposed by-law that has been agreed upon during the inaugural meeting, signed at
the last page by the Chairman, Secretary and one of the committee members.
- A set of minutes of inaugural general meeting, signed by the Secretary
- A set of Co-operative Business Plan
- Registration fees (B$15.00)
How to apply online
Applicants may submit completed application and upload the required supporting documents online at https://onebiz.business.gov.bn.
Checklist
Supporting documents to be uploaded by applicants:-
- Application letter
- Form A
- 3 copies of proposed by-law
- A set of inaugural general meeting
- A set of cooperative Business plan
Form A can be downloaded here
Should you prefer to make a manual application you may submit to our office by hand at:-
Cooperative Registration Helpdesk
Level 1, Design and Technology (D&T) Building
Simpang 32-3, Kg. Anggerek Desa Technology Park.
Negara Brunei Darussalam.
Download Cooperative Code of Practice