MOSCOW – Fruit and berry aging companies in the capital, part of the Greenfields Group (Brand Art Fruit), have recently hosted delegations from Ethiopia and Tanzania.
During the discussion, the parties explored the outlook for agricultural cooperation.
“There is great potential for trade cooperation in Moscow and African countries,” said Anatoly Garbozov, Minister of the Moscow government and director of the Investment Industry Bureau.
“In the first 10 months of 2024, trade turnover between capital and region increased by 33% compared to the same period in 2023.
“The city is driving increased supply to African countries by providing more than 10 export support measures to industrial companies.”
The meeting was attended by representatives from the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade, the capital's export support center, industry and investment activity “Mosprom” and “Artfruit”.
The African delegations include Ethiopia's Governor of Kafa, Agricultural Advisor to the President of Tanzania, Endasho Kebede Gijo, President of Bonga University Shiki Ramadani Magoha, Dr. Petro Waldetensai Waldesemayat, who specializes in coffee specialising and enthusiastic nutritional supplement facilities, and Tanzania's Fertilizer Trade Bureau.
During the meeting, the parties discussed the prospects for importing agricultural products into Moscow, developing production capacity for the storage and processing of agricultural products, and outlined specific measures to expand supply from Ethiopia and Tanzania.
The presentation by Ilya Orshik, director of the Agriculture, Food and Construction Machinery, Russia's Ministry of Industry and Trade, focused on the prospect of exporting agricultural machinery and food equipment to the African market.
Russian, particularly Moscow-based companies are ready to provide harvesting, drying, equipment for coffee and tea, and packaging facilities for such products.
Special attention has been paid to the potential application of existing support measures to promote the supply of machines and equipment.
“We are very interested in the African market and are ready to organize business missions with major manufacturers to establish mutually beneficial supplies after receiving feedback,” Ilya Orsik emphasized.
Participants also pointed out the importance of further experience exchange and the establishment of sustainable collaboration mechanisms.
“We have a great interest in the joint projects from our Moscow partners. Endasho Kebede Gijo, Governor of Ethiopia's Kafa Province, said:
The event's programme included official openings, project presentations, tours of Moscow's production facilities and discussions on key agenda items.
Dr. Petro Waldetensai Waldesemayat, president of Bonga University, said the agreement reached new prospects for international cooperation.
“Regular dialogue between the state and the business community not only expands economic ties, but also encourages the adoption of advanced technologies in the agricultural industry sector,” said Dr. Waldetensai Waldesemayat.
“The exchange of personnel is especially important as it promotes knowledge transfer and strengthens professional connections between our countries.”
The conference organizers emphasized that the event took an important step in the development of cooperation between Russia and Africa.
“We are delighted that the dialogue is productive and constructive. Tatyana Ivanchenco, operations director for Artfruit, said:
The “Artfruit” brand belongs to Greenfields Group, which has distributed exotic fruits, berries and vegetables to retail chains, restaurants and manufacturing companies across Russia for over 20 years.
The Moscow-based production facility, which is also part of the Greenfields Group, has attracted 3 billion rubles for high-tech selection and purchasing packaging lines thanks to a priority investment loan programme from Moscow's Industrial and Entrepreneurship Support Fund.
