Successful Dutch Poultry Trade mission to Uganda and first edition of Poultry Africa 2017 expo & conference

The embassies of the Kingdom of the Netherlands supported the organization of the trade mission with the organization of match making and in Kigali also a network cocktail at the residence of the ambassador. The agricultural attaché accompanied the delegation during their mission to Uganda and Rwanda.

Trade Mission to Uganda

13 Dutch companies in the poultry value chain participated in a trade mission to Uganda on 2 and 3 October 2017. The mission started with a match making event in Kampala, where the embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (EKN) was present for the opening. The delegation was welcomed by the acting ambassador of the Netherlands to Uganda, Joris van Bommel and by the State Minister of Agriculture and a representative of the Ugandan Investment Authority, who presented the investment opportunities in Uganda.

On 3 October the delegation visited several companies, such as Biyinzika feedmill and layer farm and the container village, an agri-supply market existing of small shops. Due to heavy rains a proper market research at the container village was not possible. At the end of the day the delegation enjoyed a dinner offered by the Netherlands embassy in Kampala where possible actions for follow up were discussed.

Poultry Africa 2017 Kigali

Poultry Africa Expo & Leadership Conference & Seminars took place on 4 and 5 October 2017 and it was the very first professional poultry event in Sub Saharan countries. Despite the small Rwandan market, VNU exhibitions chose Kigali as the location for Poultry Africa. Their main considerations were the safety in the country, the good accessibility and visa free traveling for residents of most African countries.

More than 70 international companies involved in poultry production supply chain were present to showcase the industry’s development. Among them were 25 Dutch companies. Other companies came from Rwanda, Morocco, France, Belgium, South Africa, China, etc.

The aim of this event was to promote Poultry sector in sub- Saharan Africa, Transfer of Poultry knowledge between Dutch Companies and Sub-Saharan African companies, Creating partnership and business opportunities between Dutch companies and Rwanda & Ugandan Poultry companies. The agricultural bureau of the Netherland embassy facilitated with the organization of a Holland Pavilion and matchmaking area. For a first edition of Poultry Africa 2017, the organization and the Dutch companies were satisfied with the turn-up and the quality of contacts they made during the event.

On Friday 6 October those companies participating in the Trade Mission organized by NABC visited poultry companies in Rwanda. These visits gave the companies an idea about the state of development of the poultry sector. Rwanda still has a long way to go, but the start is there.

Follow up

Some of the Dutch companies would like to give follow up to their mission. The companies were informed about the ImpactCluster Instrument of the Netherlands Enterprise Organisation (RVO). This instrument can be used by a consortium of Dutch companies to enter a new market. As an example the companies were informed of the business model of Holland Greentech, where 1 Dutch company is representing 7 Dutch companies in Horticulture. This consortium started by a FDOV project, next Holland Greentech has been established and registered as a company in Rwanda. The business model works in Rwanda and Uganda, and Holland Greentech is now opening regional offices in Uganda and expanding to Zambia. An important element in the model is the continuous presence of the companies in the new market, training of local staff by Dutch suppliers, low cost strategy, providing technology and expertise (incl maintenance), close collaboration with the NL embassies (sharing networks) and the use of the YEP program (Young Experts Program), which offers young Dutch and local professionals the opportunity to take their first steps in an international environment