Delaware Department of Agriculture officials meet with West Africa trade delegations

Delaware Department of Agriculture officials recently met with two trade delegations from West Africa in an effort to expand First State agricultural opportunities to new areas.

“We are always interested in building relationships and finding new markets for our products,” said Department of Agriculture Secretary Wm. Donald Clifton II in a statement. “It’s important to establish productive relationships whenever possible and constantly promote what First State agriculture has to offer.”

Organized by World Trade Center Delaware, DDA officials hosted a trade delegation Nov. 10 from West Africa, including officials from Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Mali and Senegal, who discussed poultry and soybean exports, irrigation techniques and marketing opportunities.

Attendee Moussa Koné of Côte d'Ivoire is managing director of Update Consulting International, which specializes in professional training, strategic consulting and institutional support for companies and organizations. Koné is a Mandela Washington alumnus and the founder of the Akwaba African Diaspora Festival, an international event that fosters networking between African entrepreneurs, investors and the United States.

The delegation’s co-organizer was Eric Schneider, founder and managing director of RéseauLink LLC, a consulting and intermediation firm. Schneider is a U.S. Fulbright alumnus in Côte d'Ivoire. He was formerly a program analyst at the U.S. African Development Foundation, where he managed development grants supporting youth, agriculture and entrepreneurship in West Africa.

“ReseauLink LLC is committed to organizing programs and events that bridge cultural divides, facilitate bilateral trade and investment, and improve US-Africa relations,” Schneider said.

Officials said commodities and potential exports promoted by the delegation included cashews, cocoa, coffee and fertilizer. The delegation also toured the Port of Wilmington before making its way to Washington, D.C. 

WTC Delaware is the First State’s leading international business resource and a signatory, officials said, and member of the World Trade Centers Association Agriculture Member Advisory Council. “We value our partnership with the Department of Agriculture and our joint efforts to help Delaware's agriculture sector expand globally, improve profitability and create more jobs,” said World Trade Center Delaware President Carla Stone.

Another delegation met with Dover officials Nov. 24.

For more information on World Trade Center Delaware, go to www.wtcde.org or call 302-656-7905.

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