Netherlands Pavilion at 5th Agro-Pack Fair in Erbil, Iraq
The Consulate General of the Netherlands and its Agriculture Team organized a Netherlands Pavilion at the international agricultural fair of Iraq from 22 to 25 November 2022. Iraq is the third largest Arab country for agriculture and food related imports. The Agro-Pack Fair is the most prominent agricultural fair in Iraq where agricultural professionals met for three days. This year more than 196 exhibitors from 10 countries participated presenting their solutions and products to approximately 7,760 visitors. The fair covered all segments of agriculture from production, packaging, processing to retailing.
Netherlands Pavilion
The Netherlands facilitated meetings with local potential customers and local business stakeholders for Dutch companies. It was a chance to showcase their products and connect with other exhibitors as well as visitors. During the fair, The Netherlands provided logistic and linguistic assistance to the exhibiting companies, and organized a varied program aimed at gaining insights in the Iraqi market and finding the right partner in Iraq.
Sessions at the Pavilion
The Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) provided an overview on the Kurdistan Region’s Agricultural sub-sectors and value chains. A senior advisor from the Ministry of Trade and Industry gave an overview of the business climate in the Region and Iraq. In addition to that, a group of experts from Erbil knowledge institutes explained important facts on the feasibility of agri and food business in terms of climate smart agriculture and the environmental analysis for agriculture in the region. Furthermore, advisors from KRG’s Investment Board spoke about investment opportunities in Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI). Government officials explained their activities towards enabling a business environment for foreign companies.
Agri-business networking and matchmaking event
The Netherlands consulate and its agricultural team had the pleasure to welcome more than 100 relevant actors from KRI at a networking event on the second day of the fair (November 23.). Dutch companies, local potential partners, investors and government officials had speed dates and exchanged information.
Government officials praised the Dutch government and private sector contribution to the economic development of the KRI. The head of the Board of Investment hailed the history of constructive business ties between the Netherlands and the Kurdistan Region. He further stated: ‘Kurdistan Regional Government and its Board of Investment will do all that is needed to facilitate trade and investment for foreign companies and investors.’
Participants were happy to exchange knowledge and contacts during the matchmaking event. It was a milestone for some of the Dutch companies. The Consulate General is keen to continue such activities for the sake of enhancing trade ties.
