Jalandhar: Co-operation minister Kanwaljeet Singh said on Sunday that Punjab would set up an export division to promote marketing of farm goods and food items produced in the state. Singh, who was presiding over a function to mark 54th Co-operative Week celebrations here on Sunday, told newsmen that there was immense potential for export of items produced by various organisations like Markfed. During his recent visit to Europe, he had observed that products of Markfed were in great demand in those countries, giving stiff competition to world class food products. “That’s why we have decided to explore the world market to realise the potential of our goods for which an export division would be set up,” Kanwaljit Singh said. Talks were on for a tieup with European Union for export of items produced in the state and an announcement in this regard would be made soon, he said. Blaming the previous government for weakening the co-operative movement in the state, the minister said the department was sleeping over in the past but it has now waken up and would achieve new heights soon. “There’s high scope for profitable ventures in this sector but it needs to be channelised properly,” he said. Farmers of the state were not aware of how to achieve high profits and the co-operative department was not doing anything in this regard. “But now, we will ensure proper marketing of agricultural produce of the farmers to make them prosperous,” Kanwaljeet Singh said. Earlier, the minister inaugurated Mai Bhaago Istri Shakti Scheme for socio-economic welfare of women of the state. Addressing the gathering, he said the Akali-BJP government was committed to the welfare of women and and making them self-reliant. The scheme would be reviewed after an year and best-performing co-operative societies would be honoured by the state government. He also announced that 11-member teams at block, district and state levels would be constituted for successful implementation of the scheme.