Dutch expertise rise in Egypt: Sahara Expo showcases climate-smart agriculture solutions
Egypt is on a mission to transform its agricultural sector, driven by the need to overcome water scarcity and ensure food security in a rapidly growing population. This presents opportunity for Dutch businesses, renowned for their expertise in climate and water smart agriculture. At the recent Sahara Expo, the Dutch Pavilion showcased a range of innovative solutions, offering Egypt a roadmap to a more resilient and productive agricultural future
The Netherlands Pavilion at Sahara Expo
The Sahara Expo was held between 15th-17th of September 2024 and provided a platform for this collaboration. The Dutch Pavilion, funded by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) and organized by the Netherlands Embassy and Netherlands Africa Business Club ( NABC) , showcased a range of climate and water-smart agricultural solutions tailored for the Egyptian context. The pavilion, energized with several activities, served as a powerful example to the Dutch "Diamond Approach" – a collaborative model bringing together private companies, knowledge institutes, and financial institutions like Invest International.
Dutch expertise on display
The participating Dutch companies represented a diverse spectrum of expertise:
- Greenhouse Technology: Leading players like Bom Greenhouses BV, Bosman Van Zaal, Certhon, and Delphy presented state-of-the-art solutions for greenhouse construction and management, catering to the booming Egyptian greenhouse sector.
- Seed Innovation: HZPC and Rijk Zwaan, renowned for their resilient and high-yielding seeds, showcased their offerings, crucial for Egypt's agricultural development.
- Water Efficiency: eLEAF and TAMKEN (agent of Hydrosat B.V.), a pioneers in satellite technology, provided insights into precision irrigation and water resource management, vital for a water-stressed region.
- Digital Solutions: Companies like Priva Horticulture and AgriT offered advanced digital tools for optimizing greenhouse operations and increasing resource efficiency.
- Supporting Post-harvest solutions: Technocool Engineering BV, AG LEADER EUROPE B.V., and Ag Leader Technology provided solutions for efficient storage, transportation, and precision farming, contributing to a complete agricultural ecosystem. Jasa Packaging Solutions and Allround Vegetable Processing provided customized sorting and packaging options.
- Networking and finance organization: Invest international, Netherlands Food Partnerships and Dutch Greenhouse Delta
Mutual benefits and future prospects
The event saw much interest from Egyptian private sectors. With Egypt creating an economic reform to attract foreign investment and support market access, the Dutch presence proved timely. Egypt's strategic location, coupled with its market and export potential, is driving Dutch greenhouse technology companies to explore Egypt as a prime sourcing and production hub. This is evidenced by the strong presence of the Dutch Pavilion at the Sahara Agriculture Expo.
Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing
The Dutch Pavilion also hosted a series of knowledge exchange sessions, sharing expertise on clustering and the greenport concept – a model that encourages collaboration between government, private sector, and research institutions. This sparked valuable discussions and created opportunities for Egyptian companies to learn from Dutch best practices.
The success of the Dutch Pavilion highlights the potential for a mutually beneficial partnership. Egypt's commitment to resilient agriculture, coupled with Dutch expertise in climate-smart technologies, presents a unique opportunity for both nations. As Egypt continues to look for innovation, the Dutch "Diamond Approach" offers a proven pathway to a more resilient and productive agricultural future. The Dutch pavilion stimulated collaboration and identified potential business opportunities between Dutch and Egyptian companies. This collaboration focused on disseminating innovative technologies and creating sustainable business impact.
Support for Dutch exporters
The Netherlands Agriculture Network (LAN) team at the Embassy stands ready to help any Dutch company interested in doing business with Egypt. For more information, you can contact: KAI-LVVN@minbuza.nl.