Agribusinesses receive training to boost access to new markets

Lab Innova for Africa, a technical-managerial training project set up by Italian Trade Agency has launched a virtual training programme with support from the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) for Ghanaian Agro-based businesses.

The training program is aimed at increasing the technical and managerial skills of local agri-food companies to provide them with skills required to access the European Union (EU) markets and facilitate partnerships with Italian companies.

It is designed to assist companies with a potential for the international market as well as companies that already sell internationally but intend to expand their reach.

The first edition of the two-week course kicked off on June 8, 2020 and will focus on companies that produce fruits and vegetables – specifically mango and pineapples.

Speaking at the launch of the virtual training, the Chief Executive Officer of GEPA, Dr Afua Asabea Asare, said she was excited about the collaboration offered by Lab Innova and the Italian Trade Agency.

“GEPA's mandate aligns with developing and promoting non-traditional exports and the initiative advances President Nana Akuffo Addo’s industrialisation agenda.

It also serves the dual purpose of building the capacities of these Ghanaian companies by tapping into best practice examples from the Italian Trade Agency” she added.

The Association of Ghanaian Industries (AGI) also a collaborative partner on this project, joined the virtual launch and encouraged participants to make the best of the opportunity offered by the best practice case studies and sessions being offered.

Twenty participants from the agribusiness sector went through a two-tier scrutiny including one-on-one virtual interview sessions to qualify for the training sessions.

Modules for the webinars will have practical sessions on how to approach and introduce one's business to prospective clients, how to relate and have a meaningful dialogue with counterparts.

Lab Innova for Africa is an educational training program for the agri-food sector in Africa promoted by the Italian Trade Agency in close cooperation with other Italian Partners. Other African countries that have benefitted from the Lab Innova for Africa Project include Angola, Ethiopia, Mozambique and Uganda.