Africa Food Show Makes Its Virtual Debut – GTW

The official opening of Africa’s largest and most comprehensive VIRTUAL B2B food show since the global COVID-19 crisis – Africa Food Show Virtual Exhibition (AFS VE) – kicked off.

The 5-day show will play host to some of the most cutting-edge trends in food & agriculture and showcase ground-breaking new products and technologies that are set to help businesses thrive for the next decade.

The global pandemic has put extraordinary pressure on businesses in the food sector to survive. There’s, therefore, a need to develop solutions that will keep agriculture safely running as essential business, markets well supplied in affordable and nutritious food, and buyers still able to access and purchase food products and technology despite global trade restrictions and obstacles in logistics.

“I look forward to the work ahead,” MIE Group Board Chairman Mr. David Wang remarked, “We are a resilient, innovative organization and we are dedicated to developing platforms and services that will strengthen global food trade. AFS VE is the timely solution we have designed to help food manufacturers, buyers, distributors, and suppliers recover from the impact of COVID-19.”

While the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Africa so far pales in comparison to other key markets, the disruption in supply chains is already evident in the food sector. The price of fertilizers has soared as farmers struggle to find more reasonably priced alternatives.

Food processing companies are wondering how and where to get replacement parts for their production lines. Furthermore, some of the biggest exporters in the world have reduced their exports because they fear food shortages in their own countries.

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MIE Group’s Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Fadi Kaddoura said, “We understand the significance of this supply chain problem and in order to overcome it, we have meticulously gathered over 150 leading companies in the food industry from more than 14 countries in order to give you the opportunity to reconnect with your suppliers and continue doing business.”

“We want to consider the Coronavirus pandemic as an opportunity, rather than an ordeal, and we have observed that despite it, we can actually continue to open up new markets,” observed Dr. Nevine Gamaa, Egypt’s Minister for Industry & Trade. “We hope that this exhibition will be the start of other similar exhibitions because this pandemic has compelled us to digitize rapidly and deploy the use of communication technology in our meetings and conferences.”

“We are a powerful, united retail voice; and we drive and shape the retail agenda while making sure business owners and their priorities are represented,” emphasized Ms. Wairimu Mbarire, the CEO, Retail Traders Association of Kenya. “For me to see so many businesses in the food and beverage sector keen on doing business with Kenya is overwhelming. It is a show that our retail sector continues to grow as we proceed into the future.”

AFS VE will keep the global food supply chain alive by connecting thousands of buyers, global manufacturers, and suppliers through an exclusive virtual B2B environment equipped with advanced video conferencing capabilities. Beyond business, the platform will also drive thought leadership through its dedicated virtual conferences, live keynote presentations, moderated panel discussions, and exclusive webinars.

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