The 15th African Fine Coffee Association annual conference and exhibition to be held here from February 15-17, 2017.
Briefing journalists in connection with the event, Trade State Minister Ayana Zewdie said Ethiopia has made remarkable progress in the sector. “We host the conference due to this progress and the credibility we build hosting such events effectively.”
Ethiopia is working targeting 302,560 tons of coffee export to generate 2.174 billion USD by the end of GTP II, he said, adding this year alone Ethiopia has set to export 244,000 tons of coffee which would generate the highest income in history.
Creating market link, promoting brand coffee products and finding sustainable ways of boosting African coffee productivity would be the outcome of the exhibition and conference, he explained.
He further said the exhibition paves ways for widening coffee investment continental-wide and at the international level. According to him, the exhibition also plays a seamless role in linking producers, buyers, sellers as well as importers and exporters.
Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Development and Marketing Authority Director General Office Head Mohammed Shemsu emphasized for his part that Ethiopia seizes this special opportunity to promote and expand its coffee market. “Presentation of studies by coffee experts and coffee farm visit are also scheduled,” he added.
The conference and the exhibition would enhance nation’s foreign earning by creating links with international companies, he said.
Ethiopia will be hosting the conference for 3rd time.
Themed: ‘Reshaping African coffee industry for productivity and investment’, the conference would draw coffee producers, sellers, researchers and government officials as well as other participants from over 200 countries.
[www.ethpress.gov.et]