Last Friday (19/10), the EU and The Republic of The Gambia signed a new Sustainable Fishing Partnership Agreement (SFPA) protocol, 22 years after the previous protocol expired. Both parties welcome the start of a new cooperation period in the fisheries sector.
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Tanzania and Sweden are seeking to put in check the existing trade imbalance between the two countries. The two parties met to discuss the issue as well as look for ways to open new markets for their agricultural produce. Both parties have identified the potential in the sector and deem it ideal for business and more export opportunities to foster their economies.
Barely 12 months after the ban on the export of five vegetable crops to the EU market was lifted, Ghana faces another ban on its exports. This time, exported pepper is in danger of being blacklisted over doubts about quality. About 24,000 tonnes of pepper is exported from Ghana to the EU annually.
A year after launching in Senegal, the French group has opened more than 30 stores across the country, and the competition has hurt small traders. On Tuesday, there was a major demonstration in Dakar, demanding that the Auchan stores be closed down. The retail sector may normally thrive on competition, but they also know how to band together when they are faced with threats.
The European Council adopted conclusions on external relations, focusing on the EU's relations with Africa. Leaders agreed that cooperation should be taken to a new level, underpinned by the necessary resources, including through the European External Investment Plan and the EU Trust Fund for Africa.
On 4th October 2018, the Agricultural Counselor, Carian Emeka, with a delegation from the Netherlands: A.J.Arno Rohde from the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food quality and Frank Buizer from the Netherland Entreprise Agency (RVO) - visited SUNRIPE farm Ltd, a 7 hectare farm located in the Kayumba cell of Nyamata Sector in Bugesera District, part of the Eastern province of Rwanda.
A €90 million loan was allocated on 8 October to SIFCA to finance the agricultural investments of its subsidiaries. Proparco organised the loan with co-financing from its Dutch counterpart, FMO, and Société Générale. The project is supporting the growth of a major agro-industrial player and will thereby contribute to the economic and social development of the region.
At their monthly meeting in Luxembourg earlier today the Board of the European Investment Bank (EIB) approved backing for EUR 6.67 billion of sustainable transport, urban development, water, clean energy and private sector investment across Europe and Africa. Companies across Europe and around the world will benefit from EUR 2 billion of new direct financing and support for investment through local partners.
Senior trade officials from the United Kingdom (UK) and Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) States met in Johannesburg, South Africa, on 6 to 7 September to continue discussions to maintain the current trade relationship between the UK and the ESA countries after the UK leaves the EU. The UK and ESA states from Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles, and Zimbabwe were represented.