CCIR President: At present, this the most important agricultural fair in Romania
Romanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIR) President Mihai Daraban and Romanian President Klaus Iohannis inaugurated on Wednesday, at the Romexpo Exhibition Centre, the 14th Edition of the INDAGRA International Fair, the largest agricultural event in Romania, dedicated to products and equipment in the fields of agriculture, gardening, winegrowing and animal husbandry.
INDAGRA 2019 is devised and organised by Romexpo, alongside the Romanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIR), and is taking place under the High Patronage of the Romanian President.
At the opening of the event, CCIR President Mihai Daraban said: “While in 2008 the INDAGRA Fair was a medium-level event, at present it has become the most important agricultural fair in Romania and, I state this proudly, in South East Europe. The size of this event shows the dynamic of this sector of activity. INDAGRA offers the suitable opportunity to raise the issue of product processing. Last year we imported 507 million euro worth of breadstuffs, 460 million euro worth of dairy products, 118 million euro worth of tomatoes, 124 million euro worth of processed meat, 1.1 billion euro worth of fruits and vegetables. We have the raw materials, we must focus on processing.”
From October 30 to November 3, Romexpo and the Romanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry organise the most important event in the field of agriculture, food, packaging, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. We are talking about Indagra, Indagra Food & Carnexpo, Pack Show and Expo Drink.
The Fair brings to the forefront modern products and equipment for the agricultural sector.
The 25 participating countries are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, South Korea, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, United Kingdom, Republic of Moldova, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, Ukraine, Hungary.
“The Fair represents the most important Romanian agricultural event. The large number of exhibitors, offers and related activities that it is hosting proves its potential and capacity. The event offers the possibility to conclude new contracts and partnerships, it represents the professional framework for bidding, negotiating and contracting for the biggest companies in the industry and for agricultural specialists. Likewise, those with a passion for agriculture are invited to conferences and seminars taking place at Indagra, focusing on topics such as: the development of Romanian agriculture from the standpoint of innovations; the promotion of Romanian products on the internal and external markets; the Romanian farmers’ access to European grants,” the organisers point out.
This year, the ‘Indagra Conference – Family Farm, Creator of Added Value’ will make its debut at the Fair on 1 November 2019.
President Iohannis: Romania can progress significantly by improving use of European funds for agriculture
Romania can make significant progress through better use of European funds for agriculture, President Klaus Iohannis said on Wednesday at the opening of the INDAGRA International Trade Fair in Bucharest.
“I believe that Romania can make significant progress through better use of European funds for agriculture, of which it has attracted only a little more than half so far. Good harvests in recent years and direct payments support agriculture, but they still do not contribute enough to poverty alleviation and rural depopulation. We have to change Romania for the better based on the needs of the people and their desire for a better life,” said Iohannis.
He warned that without urgent strategic measures, Romania’s trade balance of agri-food products, which has a deficit of 1 billion euros, cannot be redressed.
He added that good agriculture requires responsible activation of the public-private tandem.
“The state authorities must be aware of their responsibilities and as capable of fulfilling them as possible. Unfortunately they were not so in the fight against the epidemic of swine fever, as the measures they adopted, I dare say, disparaged people’s work and consumer expectations,” said Iohannis.
He said he is convinced that agriculture could be a spearhead for Romania’s economic growth and pointed out that it is imperative that the new Minister of Agriculture act skillfully and responsibly.
“I expect the new team at the Ministry of Agriculture to have not only their doors open, but also their minds and hearts to your problems. Romania can have an advanced, professionalised agriculture that will overcome the barriers of traditional occupation, especially in the food industry and in the food processing sector. The new Common Agricultural Policy is now being debated at European level, and Romania must set ambitious goals and promote its priorities against the interests of the other member states. I wish for Romanian farmers to receive fair direct payments, the food producers to be extended support and market access measures, and for people living in the countryside to feel a real increase in the quality of life in rural areas. Successful farmers work in teams, have ambitious common goals, which confirms that agricultural professionals understand the current context better than many politicians,” added Iohannis.
He said the INDAGRA Fair is the most important agricultural event in Southeastern Europe and congratulated the organisers and exhibitors.
“In agriculture, the involvement and well-being of the people matter decisively. Producers and farmers, representatives for the food industry, traders and financiers, you are all contributing to the development of Romania’s agriculture and that is worth it. Your efforts are commendable, given the difficulties you have faced,” said Iohannis.
