Tendersinfo keep you informed about the latest events in the national and international Procurement Industry. Procurement News provides in-depth coverage of the procurement industry, including contract awards, contract additions, new contract wins, mergers and acquisitions. Tendersinfo through its tender news section provides an update on all domestic and global tendering opportunities, invitation to bid & trade leads.
United Kingdom : FAO and EBRD host public-private dialogue on Egypts grain sector
Publish Date : 27-May-2016
A high-level conference in Cairo on Wednesday sought to strengthen the role of the private sector in Egypts crucial grain sector, with the aim of improving efficiency and reducing waste and damage. The conference was hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and brought together representatives from both the private and public sectors.
The one-day conference in Cairo was entitled Securing the future of Baladi bread a reference to the typical Egyptian flatbread that is a staple for Egypts fast-growing population. The country is Africas largest grain producer and the worlds biggest importer of foreign-grown grains.
Participants addressed the issue of how Egyptian public-private cooperation could help ensure food security in Egypt in the future and discussed the urgency of investments in the modernisation of Egyptian grain industry infrastructure. Egypt may be losing 10 to 20 per cent of its overall wheat supplies due to inadequate infrastructure along the supply chain.
Developing key logistical and storage infrastructure can be a turning point in improving import efficiency in Egypts grain sector, said Gilles Mettetal, EBRD Director for Agribusiness. Together the government and the private sector can achieve this if there is strong willingness to move towards a more liberalised market to boost private investment and competitiveness.
The industry is also hampered by complex tender procedures and inspection requirements that increase the cost of Egyptian grain imports. Streamlining tender procedures, greater transparency and consultation in the application of agricultural hygiene standards in line with international practice will greatly contribute to the efficiency of the grain supply chain and could eventually lead to important savings for Egyptian consumers, said Dmitry Prikhodko, Economist at FAOs Investment Centre.
It is also important to improve grain market transparency, which would encourage investment and reduce commercial risks and the cost of financing.FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for the Near East and North Africa, Mr Abdessalam Ould Ahmed, said that "Egypt is aware of the importance of wheat as a strategic food item, and FAO is doing its part in offering the technical expertise to reduce loss and waste in the value chain, and in introducing water-saving techniques in irrigation."
He added: "Egypt has been historically the wheat silo of the world, and the ambitious project of 1.5 million acres would improve the situation, but the engagement of the private sector and an open dialogue with the public sector are essential to protect Egypt from market shocks or grain shortage."Egypt is likely to remain the worlds biggest importer of foreign-grown grains for the foreseeable future given the limits to arable land and water supplies. Determined action to improve Egypts food security and wheat supplies is therefore vital. The private sector can help improve the sustainability of grain imports in the country by contributing their know-how and financial means.
The joint FAO/EBRD project, Initiating public-private dialogue in the Egyptian Grain Sector contributes to implementing the strategic objectives of FAO to support an efficient network for food production and foster Egypt's national food security strategy by helping eliminate hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition.
