Bangladesh Honors Two Christian Cooperatives for Contributions to National Development

Two Christian cooperative institutions in Bangladesh received national honors during the country’s 55th National Cooperative Day celebration on November 8, marking a rare recognition of the Church-backed cooperative movement.

Augustine Pratap Gomes, chairman of The Metropolitan Christian Co-operative Housing Society Ltd., received the Best Cooperator Award under the National Cooperative Award 2025, presented by the Government of Bangladesh. The award recognizes his contributions, integrity and leadership in the cooperative sector.

“I am overjoyed today. I never imagined, even in my wildest dreams, that I would receive this award,” Gomes said.

“This is not my personal achievement alone. It belongs to all the members, staff and leaders of the Housing Society. I remember the contributions of our former chairmen and officials, whose efforts brought the society to where it is today,” he added.

He thanked the society’s members and his family for supporting his work and said the organization aims to help more people meet their housing needs.

Nagari Christian Co-operative Credit Union Ltd. received a National Cooperative Award for the 2024-2025 fiscal year in recognition of its contributions to Bangladesh’s cooperative sector.

In a statement, the credit union said the award reflected the trust, unity and collective efforts of its members.

“This honor is the result of the sincerity, dedication and hard work of every member, official and employee,” the statement said, adding that the recognition would inspire the institution to strengthen its commitment to transparency and accountability.

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, chief guest at the national ceremony, called for stronger governance and an end to corruption in cooperative societies.

“Corruption has ruined most cooperative societies, leaving their operations weakened,” he said, urging cooperative leaders to strengthen their institutions and raise public awareness of the movement's contribution to national development.

The theme of this year's National Cooperative Day was “Embrace Cooperatives, Build the Nation: A Bangladesh for All.” The National Cooperative Award recognized 10 cooperative societies and four individual cooperators across 10 categories.

Among the recognized institutions, The Metropolitan Christian Co-operative Housing Society Ltd. has helped thousands of Christian families secure housing in Dhaka and other urban areas.

Founded on April 14, 1977, by 27 members with the support of the late Archbishop Michael Rosario, the society has grown into one of Bangladesh's largest Christian cooperative initiatives. It manages 85 land projects covering more than 1,100 bighas, offers nearly 4,900 plots and has developed more than 200 apartment projects. It serves over 22,000 regular members and 41,000 savings members.

Beyond housing, it provides interest-free loans to vulnerable women, supports Church programs and assists communities affected by natural disasters.

Nagari Christian Co-operative Credit Union, founded in 1953 by teacher Knight Vincent Rodriguez, was established to improve the economic conditions of Christian families with limited access to formal financial services. Alongside savings and loan programs, it operates a cultural academy, health services and an ambulance service.