Italian companies to help improve Ghana’s agricultural value chain systems via partnership with local companies
The Italian government through its trade agency – Italian Trade Agency (ITA) – is seeking to help Ghana better its agricultural value chain systems.
Through partnerships between local agribusinesses and leading Italian equipment manufacturers in agro-processing industries, the ITA aims to enhance Ghana’s value addition processing in the agriculture sector.
Speaking in an interview with norvanreports during a networking session on the sidelines of the “Agrofood & PlastPrintPack West Africa 2022 Exhibition” organized by the Embassy of Italy, Alessandra Gerbino, Commissioner of the Italian Trade Agency for West Africa, averred Italy has the requisite technology and technical know-how to help Ghana achieve an improved agriculture value chain systems and value addition processes to churn out quality agriculture-related products.
“The Agrofood & PlastPrintPack Exhibition is very important because it provides the platform for the Italian equipment manufacturing companies in the various agro-processing industries to meet local agribusinesses to discuss and deepen their knowledge about the local market as well as opportunities in the sector.
“Italian companies are experts in manufacturing and value addition, and these 20 companies that are into agro-processing value chains can help local agribusinesses to add value to raw materials, store, package and market them differently to the world,” he quipped.
A 20-Member Italian trade delegation comprising of leading players in the manufacturing and agro-processing industries took part in this year’s “Agrofood & PlastPrintPack West Africa 2022” Exhibition held at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC).
The Exhibition took place from November 29, 2022 to December 1, 2022.
Some Italian companies that participated in the 3-day exhibition include world renowned machine, tools and equipment manufacturers including Promer srl, Cevolani, Melegari Technology, Riello and Irritec.
Commenting on the importance of the participation of the Italian trade delegation in the exhibition, Dr Alessandro Gerbino, the Commissioner of the Italian Trade Agency for West Africa, says Italy looks closely at the value addition processes Ghanaian industries are undergoing, as Italy can offer competitive tailor-made solutions to support such trends.
“Italy is famed for its advanced knowledge and technology in the agrofood processing and manufacturing industries. Possibilities of customization, reliability of the equipment, quality of training and technical assistance are the distinctive elements of the Italian solutions, which have proven to offer better return on investment,” he stated.
“We are witnessing a growing interest in Italy’s direction, which we are supporting by setting up opportunities for companies to connect and discuss cooperation,” he added.
At the exhibition, Italy held the largest foreign national pavilion.
The presence of such a large group of companies shows the commitment of the Italian companies to Ghana’s market, as the creation of local partnerships and the proximity to customers and end-users are key for a solid cooperation.
In 2022, over 25 delegations of Ghanaian entrepreneurs visited sector-specific events in Italy, such as EIMA for agric machinery, Macfrut for agribusiness, Ipack IMA for packaging solutions, and have since returned with new ideas to boost their businesses.
