The International Agri-Food Fair (Sial) opened its doors in Villepinte, in the suburbs of Paris, yesterday. To mark the occasion, our colleagues at Process Alimentaire have published expert research which highlights consumer trends towards quality and strong flavours, even divisive ones. In 2018, 66% of European consumers stated that they are more and more careful about choosing high quality products.

On 23rd October, 200 exceptional coffees, originating from 25 countries, competed in the 4th edition of the ‘International Competition for Locally Roasted Coffees’ run by the Agency for the Valorisation of Agricultural Products (AVPA).

Together with EABC, we want to support regional economic integration in East Africa and help to create networks between German and East-African businesses and policymakers. Representatives of the BDI met with EABC in Arusha to get the ball rolling.

The ACP Pulse of 4th October contains articles on:

• Toward a New Strong ACP-EU Partnership Agreement
  
• Seychelles and ACP promote 'Blue Economy' at the UN
  
• ACP and IFAD Strenghten Cooperation at the UN

Barbados will host a two day private sector consultation on the post-Cotonou agreement early next month that the organisers said is intended to producing an African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) private sector declaration as inputs to be made available to the ACP technical negotiating team. The Cotonou Agreement is a treaty between the European Union (EU) and the ACP that was signed in June 2000 in Cotonou, Benin’s largest city. It entered into force in 2003 and was subsequently revised in 2005 and 2010.

The 6th Africa Ireland Economic Forum recently brought together business people and thought leaders from across Europe at the Convention Centre, Dublin Ireland to focus on strengthening trade links in the agri-food sector.

The Italy-Africa Conference scheduled to be held at the Farnesina next 25 October, will involve 46 African Countries, many representatives at ministerial level and 13 International Organizations, including the African Union, for a total of 350 delegates.

President Cyril Ramaphosa embarks on a working visit to Germany to attend the G20 Africa Conference in Berlin. The G20 Africa Conference, scheduled for Oct 29-30, will discuss progress made with the G20 Partnership with Africa and the Compact with Africa (CwA).

In preparation for the ACP-EU Joint Ministerial Trade Committee scheduled for 26th October 2018, ACP Senior Officials responsible for Trade and ACP Ministers of Trade met from 21 – 25 October to consider ways of strengthening ACP-EU partnership by addressing salient issues related to ACP-EU trade relations.

The President of the Republic of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, as the current Chairperson of the African Union, and the Federal Chancellor of the Republic of Austria, Sebastian Kurz, as Austria holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU, cordially invite African and European heads of state or government, CEOs of major global companies as well as innovative entrepreneurs and stakeholders to the High‑Level Forum Africa‑Europe.