Our vision for 2021 – A message from COLEACP’s Chairman and General Delegate
- 14/01/2021
- Posted by: Gaetan Dermien
- Category: News
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Sending good wishes in this New Year is strange considering the difficulties that most people are facing. Caught between the pre-pandemic world and the unknown of tomorrow’s society, we must focus on the opportunities for positive change that this situation offers us in order to view life with optimism. Overall, 2020 has taught us that: The Covid-19 pandemic has revealed and even accelerated the evolution of our society and its manifestations. The pandemic has increased inequalities all over the world;… +Innovation series – Session N°2 – Grow local: Conquering local markets
- 14/01/2021
- Posted by: Gaetan Dermien
- Category: Africa, Caribbean, News, Pacific
Session N°2 Grow local: Conquering local markets 21 January 2021, 12h00–14h00 (GMT) English–French interpretation available The second session of the Pan African Farmers Organization (PAFO)-COLEACP Innovation Series will focus on ‘Grow local: Conquering local markets’. Key points for discussion: In serving local markets in value-added products, what are the main challenges encountered by business and SMEs and how can innovation help them to grow? Are we seeing changes by consumers towards buying local products? What should public and private sector… +7th National Mango 2020 Campaign Review Workshop
- 08/01/2021
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: Burkina Faso, News
On 22 December 2020, the national workshop assessment of the mango campaign 2020 was held in Burkina Faso. This event brought together the various stakeholders of the Burkina Faso’s mango sector to learn the satisfactory results of the sector despite the health crisis related to COVID-19 ; and exchange on future actions. Particular attention was paid to the impact of Covid-19 on the campaign, which has caused a decrease in the volumes exported to the international market.… +Phytosanitary certificates – Brexit and Covid derogations
- 06/01/2021
- Posted by: Gaetan Dermien
- Category: Uncategorized
As a Covid-19 emergency measure, the European Union is accepting electronic transmissions of phytosanitary certificates (PCs) for imports into the EU (followed by transmission of the paper documents) until 1 February 2021. The UK position was previously unclear, but it is now confirmed that the UK will replicate this measure from 1 January 2021. A Covid-19 easement is in place as part of the Office Control Regulations; the exporter/importer can send a scanned copy of the PC, which the UK’s… +Brexit: Updated advice from the UK
- 06/01/2021
- Posted by: Gaetan Dermien
- Category: United Kingdom
The UK Government website (www.gov.uk/transition) now provides updated information on Brexit-related changes for businesses, including helpful step-by-step guides to: importing goods from the EU exporting goods to the EU moving goods to or from Northern Ireland The Border Operating Model for traders and hauliers has been updated following the UK–EU trade and cooperation agreement, and case studies are provided representing end-to-end scenarios between GB and EU for importing and exporting goods from January 2021. These show not just the journeys… +Business support for Kenyan horticultural SMEs
- 06/01/2021
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: Kenya, News
Reviewing the business plan During the second half of 2020, COLEACP’s Fit For Market and NExT Kenya programmes supported five Kenyan SMEs to update their business plan via an in-depth review or coaching. The companies particularly appreciated the detailed support from experts in the horticultural sector. An external view to critically assess the company’s operations and underlying assumptions has been an eye-opener for many SMEs. Joint construction of the business plan and priorities ensures ownership and provides companies with clarity… +Covid-19: Business e-coaching for Kenyan MSMEs
- 06/01/2021
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: Kenya, News
One of COLEACP’s responses to the Covid-19 pandemic was to provide online Business Survival Bootcamps to assist horticultural companies with a critical review of their business performance and cashflow constraints as a direct result of the crisis. A total of 73 Kenyan participants actively participated in these bootcamps during June–July 2020. As a follow-up, support was available to customise further business support for SMEs under COLEACP’s Fit For Market or NExT Kenya programme. Innovative e-coaching support was designed for horticultural… +SCS International – Cardboard packaging manufacturing plant
- 05/01/2021
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: Mali, News
Malian horticultural company SCS International, a COLEACP Fit For Market partner, has been planning for several years to set up a cardboard packaging manufacturing plant. SCS has announced that the plant is now fully operational, and in 2020 it has already supplied more than 1 million cartons and nearly 3 million paper bags. In addition to creating new jobs, the plant will enable exporting companies and manufacturers in Mali and the sub-region to benefit from local sourcing.… +Mango Campaign Report 2020
- 04/01/2021
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: Mali, News
On 17 December 2020, the national day for the validation of statistics on mango production, marketing, processing and export was held in Mali. This day brought together the various stakeholders of the mango sector in Mali who were able to witness the results of the sector and exchange on future actions. Special attention was given to the impact of COVID-19 on the campaign. The Malian channel CHERIFLA TV, takes a look back at this day chaired by Mr. Moctar Traore,… +LINGFIELD FARMS strengthens skills on Good hygiene practices and traceability principles
- 24/12/2020
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News, Zimbabwe
Lingfield Farm is a family-run horticultural producing company with more than 120 permanent and 300 casual workers. The company was supported by COLEACP to follow a training on « Good hygiene practices and traceability principles » for the technical staff on-site at the company’s premises in Gweru, Zimbabwe. This training aims to refresh and strengthen the staff’s capacities to successfully and systematically meet Food Safety Management requirements of their produce (peas and fine beans) reaching the export market.… +