The latest trends in agribusiness will be showcased at the International Agricultural Exhibition AGRA to be held from 19 to 23 February 2008 in Plovdiv. So far, 821 companies from 40 countries have confirmed participation in the most renowned agricultural forum in Southeast Europe. The exhibition is organized by International Fair Plovdiv in partnership with the National Centre of Agricultural Sciences and under the auspices of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Supply. Mr. Nihat Kabil, Minister of Agriculture and Food Supply will officially open the event on 19 February at 11.30.
The exhibits are allocated in four pavilions and the surrounding outdoor areas. The total occupied exhibition area has increased by 39% compared to last year, reflecting the growing interest in the event. The Royal Netherlands Embassy and the Embassy of Argentina will take part with official participations. Collective participation is registered by the National Centre of Agricultural Sciences presenting 37 research institutes, the Croatian Chamber of Economy and companies from Hungary.
The foreign exhibitors are 466 and the largest numbers of exhibiting companies come from Italy (103), Germany (67), the Netherlands (38), Turkey (34), France (23), Greece (22), Spain (20), Denmark (17), the USA (17), Poland (12), Austria (12), Great Britain (11), Czech Republic (10). The largest expositions are occupied companies from Italy, Turkey, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Denmark, Romania, Spain, Hungary, Israel. The exhibition space occupied by the international participants shows a rise of 21% compared to last year. That is an indication of the increasing interest in Bulgaria owing to the expectations of the investors for an upturn in the agricultural sector.
The plant-growing segment accounts for 65% of the exhibitors, 14% of the participants are engaged in the livestock breeding, and 16% - in the R & D, services and information sector.
Among the highlights of the exhibition are organic farming, agricultural research developments and technologies, specific sector-related services, as well as projects funding opportunities. Elite breeding stock will be exhibited in one of the pavilions. A wide variety of agricultural equipment – from small-sized farming machinery to computerized agricultural equipment and systems for stock-breeding farms – will be on display at the exhibition stands of manufacturers and distributors.
The Business Events Programme comprises seminars, conferences and business meetings providing opportunities for market research and establishing contacts.
A round-table on the topic “Agrarian Policy – Education – Science – Business” is organized by the Agricultural University - Plovdiv under the auspices of the Minister of Agriculture and Food Supply, Mr. Nihat Kabil. The National Centre of Agricultural Sciences is the organizer of the round-tables on “Agricultural Issues”, “Organic Agriculture”, “Opportunities for Development of the Livestock Breeding Sector”.
Prof. Dr. Svetla Bachvarova, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Supply will explain the guidelines on agricultural funding by EU funds at a seminar, organized by International Fair Plovdiv and Plovdiv Chamber of Agriculture.
Experts with the State Fund “Agriculture” – Paying Agency will give explanations on the “Funding Opportunities for the Bulgarian Agriculture through the Rural Area Development Programme”, “New Details in the Single Application Form for the 2008 Single Payment Scheme”, “Restructuring and Conversion of Vineyards in Bulgaria”, “Practical Aspects of the Dairy Quota System in Bulgaria”
Within the framework of the Bulgarian-German Cooperation Council the working group on agriculture and food industry will hold a session during AGRA 2008.