ACA debuts at ABePEC’s first Trade Fair for Cashew, Shea, Borderless, and Pineapple Alliances in Parakou, Benin

ACA Representative Boris Houenou promotes ACA to Benin's former Minister of Commerce

The African Cashew Alliance (ACA) took part in the first edition of a Trade Fair for Cashew, Shea, pineapple, and Borderless Alliances organized in Benin from 29 April to 5 May 2013. Throughout the show, the ACA exhibited at a booth promoting its various activities as well as the World Cashew Festival and Expo 2013 scheduled for September 16 to 19, 2013 in Lagos. This conference, which follows the resounding success of the 7th edition held in Cotonou on the theme, “The Future is Now,” will this time around address the evocative and inclusive theme: “Value Chain & Gains.” ACA’s promotion of this conference was of great interest for the many visitors to the event in Benin, including private sector participants, government representatives, research entities and promoters of processing units.

The Trade Fair for Alliances is an initiative of the Beninese Agency for the Promotion of Commercial Exchanges (ABePEC). The dynamic event is a part of the Beninese Government’s  work to foster the agribusiness approach of giving a leading role to the private sector and the market. This meeting was punctuated by several, informative presentations on financing, export and research opportunities. It had also brought together some stakeholders from various sectors other than those directly involved such as the University of Parakou, the Office for Restructuring and Level Implementation (BRMN), an agency of the WAEMU in support of the private sector, the National Fund for Enterprise and the promotion of youth employment in Benin (FNEPEJ), the National Shippers Council Benin (NCUD) etc.  

This important promotional event was inaugurated by Mrs. Marie-Elise Gbedo, Minister of Industry, Trade and Small and Medium Enterprises, and comes just days after the working meeting between the Minister of Trade and the major players behind the Trade Fair. 

Even more significant, it comes just on the heels of another working meeting held between the President of Benin and representatives of the entire cashew sector on 17 April 2013, indicating the President’s direct involvement and the government’s concern for the cashew industry.

These events in Benin demonstrate that ACA’s efforts to advocate for and promote African cashew to governments of producing countries have been fruitful.