Baku: On May 5, the 19th Azerbaijan International Agriculture Exhibition and Forum - Caspian Agro Week, the 31st Azerbaijan International Food Industry Exhibition - InterFood Azerbaijan, and the 14th Caspian International Exhibition Everything for Hotels, Restaurants and Supermarkets - Horeca Caspian officially launched at the Baku Expo Center. The exhibitions will run until May 8.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, the opening ceremony was attended by several key figures, including Majnun Mammadov, Minister of Agriculture of Azerbaijan, Goshgar Tahmazli, Chairman of the Food Safety Agency of Azerbaijan, Orkhan Mammadov, Chairman of the Management Board of Small and Medium Business Development Agency, and Yusif Abdullayev, Executive Director of the Export and Investment Promotion Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (AZPROMO), among others. Majnun Mammadov highlighted the participation of international representatives as a reaffirmation of the strategic importance of agriculture and the significance of international cooperation in this field.
Goshgar Tahmazli emphasized Azerbaijan's achievements in food safety. Orkhan Mammadov spoke about the opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses created by the exhibitions. Yusif Abdullayev underlined the importance of these events in advancing non-oil and gas sectors and expanding export opportunities for Azerbaijani products.
Muhammad Nasar Hayat from the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) noted that the event is crucial for strengthening food security and advancing sustainable agriculture. He stressed the importance of resilient, innovative, and self-sufficient agriculture in the face of supply chain disruptions and climate change pressures.
The exhibitions feature participation from 447 companies across 45 countries, including national groups from Germany, Belarus, Brazil, Georgia, Italy, South Korea, the Netherlands, and Indonesia. New participants include AFAZ and Brazil. The exhibitions are organized in both indoor and outdoor areas, showcasing agricultural machinery, innovative technologies, and food industry products.
Key updates include the consolidation of the InterFood Azerbaijan exhibition in Pavilion 4 of the Baku Expo Centre. The event serves as a platform for promoting the 'Made in Azerbaijan' brand, with a focus on innovations in agriculture and food industries.
The exhibitions also feature a 'Smart Agro' section, a Hosted Buyer program, and a comprehensive business program with forums and masterclasses. Notable events include the signing of agreements, the Gold Shah International Culinary Championship, and bilateral business meetings, which facilitate dialogue and potential partnerships among industry representatives. The exhibitions aim to create unique opportunities for the exchange of experience, knowledge, and innovations in the agricultural and food sectors.