International Conference on Sharing Innovative Agribusiness Solutions

From Farms to Markets: Providing Know-how and Finance, 26-27 November 2008, Cairo, Egypt

A unique setting that defined the conference’s focus

Over 400 agribusiness stakeholders, including representatives of private and public institutions (technical and financial), international organizations, donor countries, civil society and academia met at the first International Agribusiness Conference to share innovative agribusiness solutions and best practices that can potentially be scaled-up and/or transferred to other countries or regions.

As the first day of the conference was organized in a farm, the numerous participants from over 65 countries – from Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America – had the opportunity to gain first hand experience on how innovative solutions were concretely applied in Egypt.

Participants unanimously expressed great satisfaction for this most innovative format, and the solutions presented. "We are overwhelmed by the positive responses", said Gerardo Patacconi, Chief of the Productivity, Quality and Enterprise Upgrading Unit, "Over 400 participants attended, over 120 solutions from over 65 countries were presented. We started a process that was widely acclaimed; now, UNIDO and its partners will actively ensure that (…) innovative solutions are implemented ".

Concrete solutions to today’s challenges

The conference did not aim at just discussing problems and assessing needs; instead, the informal and yet very conducive environment led to dynamic interactions on the conference’s four main themes that adequately reflect the areas of agribusiness where innovative solutions can best unleash the sector’s developmental potential.

The four topics were: (1) Supply/value chains, market access and linkages; (2) Compliance with standards and conformity assessment; (3) Technology and value addition; and(4) Innovative forms of financing. In itself, the inclusion of financing-related topics marked a regained interest of the international community to foster investment in agribusiness, especially in the context of the three “Fs” (fuel, food and financial crisis).

Real matchmaking of business opportunities

The conference also helped those seeking to expand their business portfolios: in parallel to the sessions, the UNIDO Investment Promotion Unit (IPU) in Egypt organized over 300 bilateral meetings between potential partners in the areas of access to finance, transfer of technology and expertise, and capacity building. Marco Potecchi, Head of the IPU, said that "80 percent of all meetings will result in a follow-up. This is just the stepping stone; we will ensure that the expressions of interest result in concrete cooperation".

The next steps

To maintain the conference’s impetus and to further promote South-South cooperation, a platform will be developed to continually identify and disseminate successful agribusiness solutions. To foster agribusiness partnerships, UNIDO launched an agribusiness fund to support the development of the agribusiness sector in Egypt. Dr. Paul Makin, UNIDO Representative in Egypt, announced: “UNIDO is joining forces with Delta Rasmala, a leading Egyptian asset management firm, in an innovative effort to address the disadvantaged regions in Upper Egypt and other areas of Egypt, in line with the Egyptian Government’s plans to help prevent future food crises from occurring”.

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