PIB starts in Bulgarian fruit sector
Thirteen companies signed cooperation agreement aimed to position them on Bulgarian market and help the country to modernize and sustainably grow production.
At the end of November, thirteen companies throughout fruit growing chain signed a cooperation agreement with the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) within the "Partners for International Business" program. Guided by EVERS international, AWETA, BATO, BVB, Fall Creek, Fleuren, GEERLOFS, Genson, Hol Spraying, Puijk Group, Swift International, Van Oostrum, Verbeek and VGB Watertechniek will position themselves in Bulgaria and capitalize on opportunities in the fruit sector.
This as a result of dedicated efforts of two agricultural counsellors – former - Mr. Arie Veldhuizen and current - Mrs. Sophie Neve, to showcase the opportunities Bulgaria could provide and to attract attention of Dutch businesses and stakeholders willing to explore them. Together with the policy advisor for Bulgaria - Stiliyan Grebenicharski, SOF LAN team actively participated in modeling the PIB activities and facilitate network creation of key Bulgarian stakeholders, thus preparing the soil for fruitful business partnerships.
Modernization and sustainable growth
The aim of this PIB is to position the Netherlands as partner in sustainable technology and knowledge from state-of-the-art plant materials, through production to post-harvest treatment and storage in Bulgarian fruit sector.
Given the Bulgarian ambitions to double the harvest by 2030, knowledge exchange and cooperation is crucial as a basis for the delivery of services, knowledge and research, technologies and products during and after the term of the PIB. Now is the time to show ourselves. Dutch technology and knowledge are highly regarded in Bulgaria.
The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Sofia has identified the significant growth potential in Bulgarian horticulture and is dedicated to help enabling it.
The road ahead
To achieve this goal, during the next at least three years, the cluster of companies will be part of trade missions and events, Business2Business matchmaking and will establish institutional and stakeholder connections. Visitor study groups of Bulgarian primary producers and other stakeholders will be organized annually in the Netherlands. A number of trial fields in different regions of Bulgaria are to be established using high-quality Dutch planting material, expertise, technologies and other inputs. Knowledge2Knoelwedge and Knowledge2Business initiatives in partnership with Bulgarian knowledge institutes and business leaders are also planned to boost know-how and experience transfer.
It is a beautiful and at the same time profitable contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals!
You can still join!
We want to offer the most complete range of products and services in Bulgaria. Are you active in the fruit sector? We are still looking for companies that want to join and are involved in biological pesticides, integrated farm management, protection of product, plant and person, as well as suppliers for fruit growing products! Please register with coordinator Fred Evers (email: info@eversinternational.eu)
Partners for International Business
RVO implements the PIB program on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Would you like to know more about this cluster?
Please contact:
Astrid den Besten
E: astrid.denbesten@rvo.nl