BAGHDAD, Iraq (November 23, 2011) – The U.S. government through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is participating in the 4th Iraq Agro-Food Expo in Erbil, showcasing the success of the USAID-Inma Agribusiness Program and highlighting beneficiaries. The success of this program is an example of US-Iraqi cooperation, under the auspices of the Strategic Framework Agreement, in support of domestic agricultural production in Iraq.

The Iraq Agro-Food Expo, one of the largest agricultural trade shows in Iraq, got underway November 21 with hundreds of industry-related businesses, associations, and government representatives gathering in Erbil. The expo offers an excellent opportunity for Iraqi farmers, processors, and distributors to make vital international contacts that can help develop Iraqi agribusinesses. It also offers international companies the opportunity to gain a foothold in a lucrative Iraqi market that will be expanding and developing for decades to come. Product groups showcased at the expo include agricultural products and machinery, food and beverages, fertilizers and pesticides, food additives, processing technology, and packaging materials.

The U.S. Government’s government’s exhibition at the Expo is organized by the USAID-Inma Agribusiness Program. Staff members at the exhibit will showcase a number of USAID-supported products and programs including the Euphrates Fish Farm, the Rabee Transplant Nursery, Vano Feed Mill products, Al Basrah Dates, olive oil from the Al-Zaytoon Olive Association in Ninawa province, strawberries from nurseries in Sulaymaniyah, Anbar Rice samples from the Al-Rawadi Widows and Orphans Welfare Organization from Baghdad, mushrooms from the Hameedyah Mushroom Farm in Anbar province, and meat products from the Blann Butcher Shop in Dahuk.

The Iraq Agro-Food Expo, which runs from November 21st to the 24th, was established in 2008 to exhibit agriculture technology, food, food processing, and packaging. The event attracts decision-makers from the industry, as well as officials from the central Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government. Last year’s event marked one of the largest in its history with more than 350 exhibitors from 17 countries. The event attracted more than 18,000 visitors from 25 countries, as well as 40 media representatives.