India and Zambia have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enhance economic relations between their cooperative sectors. The pact, unveiled by Union Home Minister and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah in the Lok Sabha on August 12, 2025, aims to establish formal routes for encouraging cooperative trade and improving market access.
The MoU commits both countries to foster alliances between cooperative enterprises, facilitating trade partnerships, and opening routes for Indian cooperative products to enter Zambian markets. The Ministry of Cooperation will work with Indian embassies and share overseas to exchange market intelligence with exporters and connect National Cooperative Exports Ltd (NCEL) with potential buyers.
NCEL, which was founded as a dedicated export organisation for cooperative products, is a key player in this initiative. It has also formed similar arrangements with Sinton Vantage Trading in Senegal and PT Sinton Surini Nusantara in Indonesia to diversify markets and promote long-term trade relationships.
For India, the agreement strengthens South-South commercial links, expands the global footprint of cooperative goods, and advances the Aatmanirbhar Bharat goal by increasing rural and agricultural exports. Zambia has access to Indian cooperative experience, opportunities for value addition, and possibilities for joint ventures in processing and agribusiness.
