While governmental development agencies can help third world countries raise their export potential in areas like agriculture, the end goal is ultimately to forge self-sufficiency.

The Dutch Center for the Promotion of Imports (CBI) has been supporting Central American growers for many years, and an important part of its work is bringing these groups to Europe to participate in events like Fruit Logistica, which took place in Berlin last week.

CBI's Arno van der Maden told www.freshfruitportal.com there were nine participants from the Central American Agro Food Export Coaching Program at the recent fair.

"CBI’s mission is to contribute to sustainable economic development in developing countries through the expansion of exports from these countries," he said.

But the coaching program will come to an end this year, so the CBI is trying to help Central American countries join forces to organize their own pavilions in future, which have proven critical for building trade relationships.

"One of the objectives is to make the participation in the EU market sustainable over time and participation in Fruit Logistica 2017 is part of that strategy," van der Maden said.

"The companies are already on a level to be able to export to the EU markets independently.

"They have their product and packaging according to EU standards, the logistics organized, compliance with EU legislation and all necessary certifications of good agricultural practices, good manufacturing practices and social practices in place."

He said CBI initiated a joint project to this end with its business support organization partners in Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and El Salvador.

"After the first phase the Ministry of Economy and Industry of Panama was also invited to join this initiative," he said.

"The objective of this project is to develop a service tool where joint trade fair participations can be organized as Central American region, not only for fresh fruit and vegetables at Fruit Logistica but also other important European trade fairs like Anuga and Sial.

"Fruit Logistica 2017 will be the pilot project of the working group that will be developed with the support of CBI."

www.freshfruitportal.com