The event was attended by representatives of public administration, diplomacy, export support institutions and entrepreneurs interested in developing trade relations with African countries.
The featured guests list included Małgorzata Gromadzka – Secretary of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Agata Wojda – Mayor of Kielce, Dr Andrzej Mochoń – President of the Management Board of Kielce Trade Fairs, as well as His Excellency Prof. Anastase Shyaka – Ambassador of the Republic of Rwanda to Poland, and His Excellency Stephen Mubiru – Ambassador of the Republic of Uganda accredited to Poland.
Targi Kielce wants to support Polish companies entering African markets.
As emphasised by Dr Andrzej Mochoń, President of the Management Board of Targi Kielce, the forum is intended to mark the beginning of long-term activities to support Polish entrepreneurs in expanding into African markets. – The Agro Africa B2B Forum is designed for experimenting, which – I hope – we will continue in the future. We want to help Polish entrepreneurs enter the African market and encourage them to establish a more decisive presence there, said the president of Targi Kielce.
He noted that Polish companies have great potential, especially in agricultural technologies and solutions. – Polish products are not worse than Czech or Hungarian ones; we have much to offer, especially on this continent. We will try to support the Polish agricultural sector in boldly conquering African markets, Andrzej Mochoń emphasised.
During the forum, Targi Kielce also signed cooperation agreements with partners from Algeria and Zambia to promote and develop economic relations.
Polish agriculture increases exports.
Małgorzata Gromadzka, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, also spoke about the importance of developing new export directions and noted that Africa is one of the important destinations for Polish agri-food products. – From the beginning of my work at the ministry, I have placed great emphasis on the possibility of exporting high-quality Polish grain, especially wheat for human consumption, to African countries, the deputy minister emphasised.
The Ministry develops trade contacts through cooperation with Polish embassies. Further meetings with partners from African countries, including representatives of Egypt, are also planned. – Exports of agri-food products remain at a very high level; last year, they were 9 per cent higher than the year before and reached a value of over €58 billion. We produce more and better produce – thanks to technological progress and the development of precision agriculture, noted Małgorzata Gromadzka. The Deputy Minister also emphasised the role of cooperation between entrepreneurs, institutions and public administration in developing new export markets.
A forum for dialogue and real business contacts
The AGRO AFRICA B2B FORUM agenda included panel discussions on the business culture and realities of Polish-African cooperation, the practical experiences of entrepreneurs operating in African markets, and financial instruments supporting foreign expansion. The meeting concluded with the networking session of the AgroBusiness Mixer Poland–Africa, during which entrepreneurs could discuss opportunities for cooperation and establish new business contacts.
The AGRO AFRICA B2B FORUM has shown that Africa is becoming an increasingly important destination for the Polish agri-food sector, and the Agrotech trade fair at Targi Kielce is the place where these relationships are beginning to translate into specific projects and economic partnerships.
