Netherlands to Collaborate with Benguela to Boost Dried Fruit Exports

Benguela: The Netherlands has announced its intent to collaborate with the business community in Benguela to transform the province into a competitive exporter of dried fruits for the European market. This initiative aims to enhance training, investment, and innovation among agroproducers in Benguela. According to Angola Press News Agency, the financial and senior financial advisor to the Embassy (AEB) recently advanced this proposal through a memorandum. The agreement seeks to bolster the production, transformation, and export of dried fruits such as pineapple, mango, banana, and papaya from Benguela to the Dutch market. To realize this goal, Dutch expert Armindo Teuns revealed plans to train dried and dehydrated fruit producers in Benguela. The first workshop, a concrete action of the memorandum, is scheduled for September, with Dutch experts set to guide the local agroproducers. Teuns emphasized the Netherlands' commitment to developing business plans and expressed hope for the business plan's approval, including funding, by the end of the year for a pilot project in Benguela. The project's implementation is expected to enhance the province's value chain and facilitate exports of dried fruits to the European market, where there is significant demand. The formation of farmers and entrepreneurs specializing in dried fruit processing is considered crucial for the development of a sustainable project. Teuns highlighted studies assessing Benguela's potential in producing, transforming, and marketing dehydrated fruits, such as mango and pineapple. The positive outcomes of these studies have led to the formalization of the cooperation agreement. The partnership with the Benguela Business Alliance also aims to integrate Dutch experts into the local agricultural ecosystem. The focus now is on identifying potential dried fruit producers, with the agreement open to all interested parties across the province. Regarding the timeline for the first export, Teuns is optimistic that, with the support of the provincial gov ernment, tangible results might be achieved this year. Teuns assured that the memorandum includes provisions for supporting producers with modern equipment to enhance the transformation process, which is currently done manually in Benguela.