European Parliament
12-13 October: Development Committee
12-13 October: Agriculture Committee
12-13 October: Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee
13 October: Fisheries Committee
15 October: International Trade Committee
15 October: Regional Development Committee
CTA - EIB - EC
14-15 October: EXPO Milano – Agribusiness in ACP countries
The CTA Brussels News Service is providing EU-ACP policy news since 2004, on various key thematic areas. In addition to this news service, we also provide news on ACP intra-regional trade, and south-south cooperation (investments of emerging countries' in agriculture in the ACP regions). The main stories for the week are featured in our newsletter and all stories can be found in our Regional Trade and the South-South cooperation sections.
The Brussels Briefing on ‘Women entrepreneurs – key players in ACP agribusiness development’ took place on Thursday 17 September 2015 at the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) Secretariat. Five women: three from sub-Saharan Africa, one from the Caribbean and one from the Pacific region, gave fascinating accounts of starting and managing agribusinesses. They talked about the factors that had driven their success and the challenges they face. Read the stories: Lovin Kobusingye, Kati Farms, Uganda; Simone Zoundi, Sodepal, Burkina Faso; Alberta Vitale, Women in Business Inc., Samoa;Rosemund Benn, Pomeroon Women’s Agro-Processor Association, Guyana; and Tepsy Ntseoane, Eve’s Eden, South Africa.
Rural and agricultural economy and their value chains play a key role for fostering economic growth, job creation and development in ACP countries. Private sector investments are essential for unlocking this potential. In the context of EXPO Milan, the Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development of the European Commission is organising a conference on "Agri-business investments in partnership with farmer's organisations in ACP Countries". The aim of the conference is to engage stakeholders and partners to work on a common blue-print for smart agri-business investments in ACP countries in partnership with farmers' organisations.
An opportunity not to be missed takes place in Bridgetown, Barbados next month. Some 250 leaders, decision-makers and agrifood actors will be gathering for the first Caribbean and Pacific Agrifood Forum. A key event for both regions, the forum will be held from November 2 to 6, an action-packed week devoted to exploring how an agribusiness approach can drive rural development in small island states. Anyone wishing to participate in events at the Caribbean and Pacific Agrifood Forum, or find out more, should contact: cpaf15@cta.int Follow live the event at: #CPAF15