The launch of Coop Exchange in Malta has marked a “significant milestone” in the world of cooperative investment, its founders have said.
Described it as a “groundbreaking initiative”, Coop Exchange aims to revolutionise the economic landscape by “connecting the immense amount of patient capital that exists in the pensions markets, with businesses that deliver long-term sustainable growth through purpose-driven and people-centered approaches – cooperatives”.
Held at the historic Villa Bighi in Kalkara, the launch event was attended by prominent leaders from the cooperative, mutual and sustainability sectors, including members from local cooperative bodies, representatives from the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) and the Finance Ministry.
Coop Exchange has established its EU base in Malta, aligning with the country’s efforts to drive funds towards activities that support climate neutrality and societal welfare.
On the occasion, Coop Exchange founder and CEO Stephen Gill painted a vision of an economic landscape dominated by businesses prioritising social good and governance.
“Imagine a world where public ownership is characterised by community-driven investments that shape the future for the benefit of those communities.
“This transformative shift in our economic paradigm is what Coop Exchange is at the forefront of,” Gill told guests.
“Younger generations are demanding a new way of doing business, pushing those in power to address wealth inequality and driving investment towards community-owned, purpose-oriented organisations.”
The importance of cooperatives in addressing the climate crisis was echoes during the event.
Cooperatives are people-centred enterprises, jointly owned and democratically controlled by and for their members to realise their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations.
As enterprises based on values and principles, they put fairness and equality first, allowing people to create sustainable enterprises that generate long-term jobs and prosperity.
“Together, we are turning capital into a force for good – where capital empowers people, rather than people empowering capital,” Coop Exchange said.
