Description

Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Phil Hogan will be visiting Saudi Arabia and Iran in the period 7-12 November 2017 accompanied by a delegation of senior representatives of European companies/producer organisations of the agri-food sector. This trip will combine official visits by Commissioner Hogan to the relevant Saudi and Iranian counterparts, and promotion activities attended by the business delegation, such as Business Forum, business-to-business meetings, media events, retail and site visits. 

The aim of the visit is to enhance cooperation between the EU, Saudi Arabia and Iran in the field of agriculture and rural development, in particular with a view to further developing bilateral trade in agri-food products between the EU and the two Middle Eastern countries.

Senior level representatives from both producer organisations and individual companies from key sectors with the highest potential to develop successful trade with Saudi Arabia and Iran are welcome to take part. These may include, but are not limited to: 

  • For Saudi Arabia: poultry and beef meat, dairy, fresh & frozen fruits and vegetables, olive oil, bakery, confectionery and chocolate products, cereals for human use, fodder/cereals for animal use.
  • For Iran: dairy, meats (notably beef and sheep meat), olive oil, cereals and oilseeds, food and feed additives, and genetic materials (both of plant and animal origin). Other sectors such as fruit and vegetables or confectionery may also be considered in view of enhanced cooperation with the Iranian agri-food sector.

Operators having experience or interest with halal-trade goods will be prioritised. Other sectors such as fruit and vegetables may also be considered in view of enhanced cooperation with the Saudi and Iranian agri-food sectors. For both Saudi and Iranian public policy reasons, sectors like wine and spirits or pig-based products will not be considered for the composition of this delegation. Companies that in addition to exporting have an interest in exploring agri-food investment in Iran are also welcome.

Members of the business delegation will have their own business-to-business programme during the visit to Saudi Arabia and Iran, including business forums with local operators in Riyadh and Tehran. These meetings will offer the European businesses the chance to explore the possibilities and requirements for doing business in Saudi Arabia and Iran, as well as an opportunity to make direct business contacts with local companies.

The draft programmes of the business delegation activities are available here for Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Interested organisations/companies are invited to complete the online application form by 10 July 2017. Confirmation of participation will be sent by the end of July.

For practical questions, please email: chafea-agri-events [at] ec.europa.eu

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