The Agrofood & Plastprintpack Ghana 2023 exhibition wrapped up on Thursday, leaving stakeholders optimistic about its substantial positive impact on the local business community and Ghana’s economy.
Organized by German trade show specialists Fairtrade Messe in collaboration with Geovision, the event unfolded at the Grand Arena of the Accra International Conference Center from November 21st to 23rd, 2023.
The three-day fair witnessed active participation from over 73 exhibitors hailing from 12 countries, and pavilions representing the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), GIZ AgriBiz, MOVE, as well as countries such as Italy, the Netherlands, Nigeria, and South Africa.
These contributors presented customized solutions and cutting-edge technologies tailored for the Ghanaian and West African markets. Among the participating countries were Austria, China, France, Germany, Ghana, Italy, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Poland, South Africa, Thailand, and Ukraine.
In addition to the exhibition, a comprehensive conference program featuring 12 roundtable discussions and presentations provided participants with invaluable insights and networking opportunities.
The opening day was marked by a distinguished ceremony featuring speeches by esteemed guests, including H.E Daniela d’Orlandi, the Italian Ambassador to Ghana, Sivine Jansen, Deputy Head of Mission of the Federal Republic of Germany, and Wendy Van Meel, the Kingdom of the Netherlands’ Deputy Ambassador to Ghana.
Paul Maerz, Managing Director of Fairtrade Messe, expressed satisfaction with the top-level conference program and lauded the awards ceremony organized by the Chamber of Agribusiness in Ghana. He emphasized the long-standing experience of Fairtrade Messe as organizers of trade exhibitions, making collaborations with agencies like GEPA seamless.
“Our aim is for Ghana to become more self-sufficient, importing less food and producing more locally,” stated Maerz. He underscored positive signs in the Ghanaian economy, pointing towards potential long-term economic resilience.
Edmund Boakye Frimpong, from Geovision Services Limited, highlighted the event’s importance for local businesses to interact with foreign counterparts, fostering insights for international market penetration.
Italian Ambassador Daniela d’Orlandi expressed pride in Italy’s consistent presence, noting the substantial delegation of 7 Italian manufacturers in machinery and products for the plastic, printing, packaging, and agribusiness industries.
Dr. Alessandro Gerbino, the Italian Trade Commissioner to West Africa, cited customer proximity as a key motivator for Italy’s consecutive participation and called for improved collaborations between African governments to facilitate effective intra-African trade.
During a panel discussion on export procedures and opportunities in the EU market, Raffaele Quarto, a representative of the European Union, stressed the importance of local businesses ensuring high-quality products for access to the EU market.
The fair concluded successfully on Thursday, November 23, with traders, including award winners, expressing positivity about the fair’s impact on their businesses.
In his final remarks, Managing Director Paul Maerz shared contentment with the outcome and announced that the next edition of Agrofood and Plastprintpack Ghana is slated for 2025. This event not only marked a successful business platform but also set the stage for continued growth and resilience in Ghana’s economic landscape.
