The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) presented its experience in the food-processing industry and the importance which it places on the development of this sector, in an article published on its website on Wednesday, 13 April 2016.
While noting that the end of communism had brought an end to the doctrine of collectivisation and that private agriculture was again permitted, the bank stressed that problems still existed. “Collectivisation destroyed the livelihood of millions and left deep scars on vulnerable economies and societies,” the statement said.
“However, the region has a long tradition of successful agricultural production and some of the most fertile soil in the world. Ukraine used to be called the “bread basket of Europe”. The country is only now starting to regain that title – a step that is vital for its economic future”, the bank said, adding that the EBRD “has been at the forefront of reawakening the agricultural sector”.
The Bank reminded that it has long worked with private companies to revive the agriculture sector, from supporting the expansion of the wholesale food market in Budapest in 1994 to supporting sustainable dairy farming in Egypt, in 2015. In this country, it contributed to strengthening the food-processing industry with a participation of US$100 million in an Egyptian sugar refinery.