Conference sheds light on African trading prospects

November 22, 2004 - The Produce News ()

Monterey, CA - By Brian Gaylord

The first-ever U.S.-Africa Agribusiness Conference held here Nov.7-10 laid the groundwork for possible trading relationships between potential partners who may not previously have entertained the notion.

But whether a level of trading has already been established or not, the conference offered two-way exposure. Private and public sector agribusiness industry leaders gathered at the conference with the primary goals of improving American awareness of opportunities in the African agribusiness industry, to highlight existing and potential U.S.-Africa ventures and to examine policy issues specific to the industry.

The conference was organized by Washington, D.C.-based The Corporate Council on Africa (CCA). Conference organizer Judith Chambers said conference goals included coalition building for policy action on Capitol Hill and helping African nations to develop sustainable agriculture.

Countries that had either or both high-level government trade representation and representatives of agriculture companies at the conference included Kenya, Morocco, South Africa, Zambia, Mozambique, Egypt, Ghana, Nigeria, Tunisia and Uganda. Also represented were the African Seed Trade Association and the COMESA trade region in Africa, which represents a common market of about 20 countries in eastern and southern Africa.

“For economic development and status, agriculture is such an important part of these (African) countries,” Ms. Chambers said.

But as much as the individual companies and countries may benefit from U.S. partnerships, Ms. Chambers said ultimately what is sought is “50-50, two-way trade.”

Mukhisa Kituyi, minister of trade and industry for Kenya, said his country is “rock solid” and has become more open and democratic in the past few years.

The East African country has increasingly moved into irrigated agriculture, Mr. Kituyi said. Kenya’s agriculture -- which includes cashew and macadamia nuts, tea and coffee, green beans, peppers, sno peas, corn -- have never been healthier, he said. The country’s flower industry is a success story that involves public and private sector financing, he said.

“For the first time, the EU (European Union) has abandoned subsidizing agriculture going to Africa,” Mr. Kituyi said of the July pact.

As part of the country’s agricultural policy, Kenya will expand its produce into food-deficit regions in Africa, Mr. Kituyi said.

In 2000, President Clinton signed the African Growth and Opportunity Act, amended by President Bush in 2002 and 2004. The act promotes increased two-way trade with Africa.

Conference partners included Monterey Institute for International Studies; California Department of Food and Agriculture; Monterey Bay International Trade Association; African Coalition for Trade; Foundation for Africa; U.S. Department of Commerce; and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.