Global Credit Unions Celebrate Bradford and Nepal Partnership
Global Credit Unions Celebrate Bradford and Nepal Partnership
Bradford District Credit Union (BDCU) welcomed Mr. Meelan Dhakal, CFO of Pokhara Royal Savings and Credit Cooperative Society in Nepal during his UK visit. Both credit unions have grown to over 10,000 members through community-focused development showcasing shared values in the global credit union movement. Ian Brewer, Community Development Lead at BDCU, who worked in Pokhara, Nepal with the YMCA in the early 1990s, reflected on the significance of this partnership.
Mr. Dhakal met the Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Beverley Mullaney at Bradford City Hall, where BDCU operates. They exchanged flags as a symbol of friendship and Mr. Dhakal received gifts celebrating Bradford’s designation as the UK’s City of Culture 2025.
The Lord Mayor said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Mr. Dhakal to Bradford and share our pride in being the UK’s City of Culture 2025. His visit highlights the importance of international collaboration and the fantastic work of Nepal’s credit unions. BDCU’s global connections reflect our city’s inclusive values and commitment to empowering communities.”
Ian Brewer added: “Having worked in Pokhara with the YMCA in the early 1990s, it is particularly meaningful to see how credit unions in Nepal, like Pokhara Royal, have flourished. This visit underscores the power of cooperation and shared values in building stronger communities.”
Mr. Dhakal also visited the Rochdale Pioneers Museum, birthplace of the Co-op Movement and met with a representative from Association of British Credit Unions Limited (ABCUL) to discuss collaboration opportunities between Nepalese and UK credit unions with Nepal Federation of Savings and Credit Cooperative Unions Ltd. (NEFSCUN) and World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU)
Mr. Dhakal said: “I am deeply impressed by BDCU’s commitment and community spirit. Our shared experiences highlight the strength of the global credit union movement. This visit has been invaluable for exchanging ideas and fostering partnerships that will benefit our members and communities in both Nepal and the UK.”
Provided below are the links to the UK and Nepalese press releases that gained significant attention and were subsequently featured in national media outlets
CFO of Nepal’s Pokhara Royal Savings hosted by BDCU | Bradford Telegraph and Argus
Global credit unions celebrate Bradford and Nepal partnership – Asian Standard Newspaper
CFO of Nepal’s Pokhara Royal Savings meets with Bradford’s Lord Mayor
पोखरा रोयल साकोसका प्रतिनिधि बेलायतको रोचडेल सहकारी, अन्तर सम्बन्धका विषयमा छलफल – सहकारीखबर
Royal Representatives Visit Rochdale, Explore Cooperative Interrelationship | Bittiya Post