news - Flying swans consortium and ethiopian public private parties in food and logistics commit to cooperation

Ethiopian public and private parties met with Dutch public and private parties in the presence of Minister Ploumen of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation to discuss an investment program in agro production and logistic hubs. At the end of the session a letter of intent was signed by Dr. Mebrahtu Meles State Minister of Industry and head of the Ethiopian delegation and Nanno Kleiterp of FMO, representing the Dutch Flying Swans Consortium

The event took place during an Ethiopian and Djibouti trade mission to the Netherlands. During the mission different components of the successful Dutch agro-logistical hub were visited. It was envisioned how Dutch expertise, investment and execution capacity could support Ethiopia and Djibouti to become competitive in the world market for fresh products. The public and private parties discussed concrete investment proposals for agri production, agri-rail consolidation centers and other logistic hubs. The investments should result in significant job creation and avoidance of CO2 emissions.

The Flying Swans Consortium is a Dutch consortium that includes Frugi Venta, the representative body of the fresh fruit and vegetable sector, Mercator Novus, co-initiator of Flying Swans, strategy consulting bureau and investment advisor to the program, Port of Rotterdam, the largest European port and a food logistics expert and FMO, the Dutch development bank.

‘Flying Swans’ is a new approach for Dutch companies to go global in groups with an integrated cross-sectoral offer, including finance. The initiative has the dual goals of enhancing development through connecting emerging markets to the global value chain, and creating a role for Dutch parties in local, regional and South-North trade.

For more information:

Robert Bierens

r.bierens@fmo.nl

+31 70 314 95 24