International conference on coffee to be held in Ethiopia

Addis Ababa (ENA) – The Ethiopian Coffee Exporters Association (ECEA) said an international conference on coffee would be held from November 8-9, 2012 here under the theme “Ethiopian Coffee Export Conference: Strengthening the Legacy of Our Coffee”.

Association Public Relation Officer Getachew Admasu told ENA that the conference would help enhance the position of the Ethiopian coffee in the international market through facilitating the exchange of information and experience among stakeholders.

He said it also help understand and address key opportunities and challenges facing the coffee sector and promoting the uniqueness and vision for the future.

The two-day conference is also expected to meet the stated purpose and make positive contribution to enhance the Ethiopian coffee export culminating in more export volume and foreign exchange earrings during the upcoming coffee season.

The association is working in collaboration with the ministry of trade and other partners for the organization of the conference that attract 250 people.

The conference will bring together the principal actors in coffee business including exporters , local suppliers, cooperatives, regional agriculture bureaus, trade and agriculture ministries, Ethiopian Commodity Exchange and Ethiopian Commodity Exchange Authority ,local financial institutions, international coffee buyers.

He said it is well anticipated that Ethiopia coffee export in the international market would increase by at least 25 percent from the present level.

The officer said the foreign exchange earnings will surpass one billion US dollars setting a new record of the economy’ foreign exchange generation with a seven digit figure from a single commodity in the history of national export performance.