ACFSMC Hosts
ICA International Cooperative Suppl y Chain Fair
ICA Seminar on Trade and Development for Cooperatives
The Fair and Seminar were held as one of the main events of the China International Supply Chain Expo from 28 November to 2 December in Beijing, China.
The ICA International Cooperative Supply Chain Fair, themed “Cooperatives in the Supply Chain”, showcased the strength and diversity of cooperative products and services across the agricultural value chain of ICA members, as well as the existing and promising highlights of cooperative cooperation in all aspects of the agricultural supply chain.
Sponsor ACFSMC invited 23 cooperative exhibitors from 15 countries from all four ICA regions, namely ZEN-NOH representing Japan, NACF representing Korea, OCB representing Brazil, Cooperar representing Argentina, ANGKASA representing Malaysia, Coop Far East representing Italy, CCU representing Bulgaria, Mondragon/Fagor Arrasate Kunshan representing Spain, NISPED/Ganir representing Israel, SNCF representing Singapore, Gujcomasol of NCUI representing India, DEKOPIN representing Indonesia, ICC representing Iran, KCCE representing Kenya, Genç İşi Kooperatif representing Turkey. The fair showcased the highlights for cooperatives and their diversity along the entire agricultural value chain from production, services and consumption.
The debut of ICA members in one of China’s flagship exhibitions not only showed the influential role of cooperatives in the agricultural value chain, but also demonstrated the solidarity and identity of cooperatives around the world.
The ICA stand attracted wide attention from all walks of life, and more than 800 pieces of information were published by the top social media and news agencies in China, including China Central TV and Xinhua News.
The China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) marks a pivotal moment as the world’s first national-level supply chain expo. Under the theme “Connecting the World for a Shared Future”, reflecting a pioneering step in the field of supply chain expos, this event carries the weighty mantle of an open platform to ensure the stability of global supply chains.
The ICA Seminar on Cooperative Trade and Development, a parallel event to the ICA International Cooperative Supply Chain Fair, invited more than 80 representatives of cooperatives from 16 countries and international organisations such as the ILO, UNDESA and ICA regional offices.
The seminar, opened by Ms. Simel Esim, Head of Cooperatives Unit of ILO, and Mr. Balu Iyer, ICA-AP Regional Director, and coordinated by Mr. Hüseyin Polat, UN Chief Adviser & ILO Senior Consultant, highlighted the ways for and solutions to cooperative trade and development, considering the opportunities and challenges of trade and collaboration between cooperatives and the promotion of cooperative trade and development. Speakers representing Cooperar, OCB, NISPED, Coop Far East, Mondragon and ACFSMC shared the business mode of each organisation and the potential for collaboration between cooperatives. The seminar agreed on the importance of proactive actions, joint actions and a platform for exchanging opinions and business proposals among cooperatives, which can lay a solid foundation for future cooperation among cooperatives. The seminar also addressed trends that influence trade and the development of cooperatives, namely climate change, artificial intelligence, trade big data and trade services for small and medium-sized enterprises.
