Saudi Arabia And Italy Strengthen Cooperation With UNIDO To Enhance Coffee Supply Chains In Africa

During the 21st General Conference of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in Riyadh, Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef met with Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani. Representatives from the Saudi Coffee Company also attended. Discussions focused on potential collaborations between Saudi Arabia and Italy to enhance coffee supply chains in Africa.

The Italian delegation highlighted the "ACT – Advancing Climate-Resilience and Transformation in African Coffee Programme." This initiative, supported by Italy and implemented by UNIDO, aims to promote sustainability in the coffee sector across selected African nations. It is a key part of Italy's broader strategy for the coffee industry.

The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, alongside the Saudi Coffee Company, plans to explore pathways proposed by UNIDO and Italy. These efforts aim to develop coffee supply chains in Africa by increasing productivity, expanding value-added manufacturing, and supporting sustainable practices. Coordination with relevant Saudi government entities will be essential.

The Saudi Coffee Company expressed its willingness to engage in these exploratory initiatives. The company aims to leverage its expertise in developing coffee value chains, covering areas from farming to marketing. It will also identify opportunities to utilise Jazan Port as a logistics hub for enhancing coffee trade flows with African countries.

Jazan Port is positioned as a crucial logistics gateway that supports coffee trade flows. Its strategic location enhances connectivity with African coffee-producing nations, offering significant opportunities for trade expansion and collaboration.

This meeting coincided with the transition of the UNIDO conference presidency from Italy to Saudi Arabia. This change signifies international confidence in Saudi Arabia's leadership role in industrial development and multilateral cooperation.

The Ministry's partnership with the Saudi Coffee Company aims to strengthen the Kingdom's position within global coffee supply chains. By focusing on sustainable practices and leveraging strategic locations like Jazan Port, they seek to enhance their influence in this sector.

With inputs from SPA