A new brand sees Irish business working with African producers to bring food from Africa to supermarkets.
A group of Irish companies has developed a new food brand to make trade, not aid, a reality for African producers. The 'Heart of Africa' range of products will be on supermarket shelves from next month.
The Heart of Africa is beating.
The Aid for Trade initiative brings Irish companies together with African producers to give them access to lucrative European markets.
Minister of State for Irish Aid Conor Lenihan emphasises the importance of building business links with African countries. He says there is a need to move beyond aid to a business model if the economies of these countries are to grow.
Brian Ssebunya of AFRI Farms in Uganda says that the initiative will provide African producers the opportunity to win new customers overseas.
All profits from the initial range of tea, coffee, nuts and fruit will be ploughed back into African businesses and communities.
Jim Corbett, Managing Director of Bewleys, one of the Irish companies spearheading the project, says that African companies are as entrepreneurial as any company in Ireland. He believes people are interested in the ethical consequences of the products they consume.
It is hoped that the success of the 'Heart of Africa' will open up the market further to African products.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 13 July 2006. The reporter is Niamh Sweeney.
