(VOVWORLD) - 65 years after it was established, the Duong Lieu Trade and Agricultural Service Cooperative in Hanoi has become a role model of the new-styled collective economy. Its success is attributed to the dedication of its leaders, including Nguyen Phi Duc, who has played a pivotal role in building and expanding the cooperative.
 Nguyen Phi Duc, Chairman of the Board of the Duong Lieu Trade and Agricultural Service Cooperative (Photo: Nguyen Cuc/ VNA) |
Nguyen Phi Duc is the current Chairman of the Duong Lieu Cooperative Council. In his 25 years with the cooperative, Duc has proposed multiple initiatives that have been widely acknowledged and praised. He played a key role in renovating the cooperative in accordance with the 2012 Cooperative Law, which paved the way for traditional cooperatives to take part in business and tourism ventures.
"The Duong Lieu Cooperative was the first in Hanoi to transform in line with the 2012. We worked with local authorities to restructure our capital and re-evaluate our assets. Nearly 99% of the former members re-registered as new cooperative members. That was a huge success," said Duc.
Duc introduced a modern, comprehensive system to manage some 2,500 members and more than 5,000 customers.
"The cooperative, especially Duc, has applied technology into business and production, helped workers and members improve their livelihoods, and created new jobs. As a result, Duong Lieu residents now enjoy a more prosperous life,” said Phi Van Khang, former Chairman and a long-time member of Duong Lieu Cooperative.
 Nguyen Phi Duc examines the quality of vermicelli, a key product of the Duong Lieu Trade and Agricultural Service Cooperative. (Photo: Nguyen Cuc/VNA) |
Duc and the cooperative team have worked to revive and develop traditional crafts like embroidery and other local trades to stimulate local economic growth.
The Duong Lieu Cooperative is involved in agricultural processing, embroidery, trade, and tourism services.
"We have three main goals. First, we aim to transition traditional agriculture and rural systems toward urban agriculture and develop enterprises to meet urban residents' needs. Second, we are working to enhance our management with the highest quality, transparency, and customer care. Third, we aim to apply new technology to customer care, management, and production,” Duc said.
It’s not easy to run a business. There are ups and downs, but it has to keep moving forward, Duc said.
"Once we have a clear goal and are prepared in terms of manpower, resources, and technology, we can adapt. We’re confident that our cooperative has taken the essential steps forward. We need suitable strategies to run the collective effectively,” he said.
The Duong Lieu Cooperative has received many prestigious awards from the State President and associations, including the First, Second, and Third Class Labor Orders.
Last year, Nguyen Phi Duc was honored as an Outstanding Citizen of Hanoi.