Addis Ababa, July 14, 2023 (FBC) – Ethiopian Agricultural Authority (EAA) and the Netherlands Centre for the Promotion of Imports (CBI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to boost competitiveness of agricultural products in the international market, the Netherlands Embassy in Ethiopia announced.
The Netherlands Centre for the promotion of imports from developing countries (CBI) launched its Fresh Fruit and Vegetable project yesterday with participants from the private sector, Ethiopian government actors, and developmental partners, the Embassy stated.
According to the NL Embassy, the project aims to increase the sustainability and competitiveness of the Ethiopian fruit and vegetable sector by supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the enabling environment for export and improving regulatory functions of the sector.
During the launching of the project, the MoU was signed between EAA and CBI.
Together with the EAA and partners like Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association (EHPEA), the sector will get support on areas like accessing the international market via sea, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), food safety, quality, phytosanitary aspects among others, the Embassy said.
An agency of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, CBI was established in 1971. Centre for the Promotion of Imports from developing countries contributes to sustainable and inclusive economic development in developing countries through the expansion of exports from these countries to Europe.