SMES from Comesa on EU horticulture mission
REPRESENTATIVES of 11 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) from the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa member states including Zimbabwe, are undertaking a horticulture engagement mission in the European Union.
Comesa said the SMEs representatives are also from Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Uganda and Zambia.
“The mission is meant to increase the competitiveness and market access of the SMEs in horticulture, exploring market opportunities through active participation in value chains and facilitating networking opportunities for Comesa horticulture producers.,” said Comesa in a statement.
The mission is supported by the bloc’s Regional Enterprise Competitiveness and Access to Markets Programme (RECAMP) funded by the European Union under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF 11).
“It will enable the SMEs to establish business matchmaking platforms between Comesa producers and Dutch partners and other value chain actors within the EU,” said Comesa.
Comesa Business Council chief executive officer, Teddy Soobramanien, who is leading the delegation, highlighted Dutch market’s significance, with the Netherlands accounting for 28 percent of Comesa’s horticulture exports and global imports valued at €10,6 billion.
EDF programme manager at Comesa secretariat, Mshuka Kamwela, pointed out that the EU was Comesa’s top export market in 2022, accounting for 44 percent of exports, up from 41 percent in 2021, and also served as the leading source of imports for the region.
Kamwela, who is accompanying the delegation emphasised the critical role of the RECAMP programme in addressing key challenges, such as limited access to information, business linkages and regional policies for value chain development.
“This mission, therefore, aligns with Comesa’s ongoing efforts to promote regional integration through trade facilitation, boosting economic growth and cooperation,” she said.
Apart from enhancing competitiveness for SMEs in the horticulture sector through exposure to supply chains in the EU and promoting knowledge exchange on best practices in horticulture, the mission is focused on connecting SMEs in the Comesa region with major players in the EU horticulture value chain, such as Fresh Produce Centre and Svensson.
The Comesa enterprises will engage in business-to-business meetings, with Dutch enterprises within the horticulture value chain, fruit and vegetable cultivation, flower production, logistics, packaging, crop protection, and import processes.
It is hoped that this will strengthen partnerships and identify business opportunities within the horticulture value chain while enhancing trade, fostering collaboration, and integrating SMEs from the Comesa region into global value chains.-ebsinessweekl
