Ethiopian Embassies delegation visits the Beekenkamp Group in the Netherlands

The Beekenkamp Group’s production site in Ethiopia is an important part of the supply chain where the entire process of young plant material starts. This is done at the company Maranque Plants PLC in the Arsi Zone in Ethiopia. Maranque Plants produces for Beekenkamp Plants as well as Deliflor Chrysanten which are members of the Beekenkamp Group.

On Thursday, August 10, an Ethiopian delegation including Her Excellency Ambassador Hirut Zemene visited the Beekenkamp Group in Maasdijk. The delegation got a unique insight into the Group’s Research and Development Center guided by Marc Driessen (Director Beekenkamp Plants Ornamentals) and Peter Zaat (Director Deliflor Chrysanten) and were taken into the story of plant and flower breeding. The visit to the Group was concluded at the facilities of Deliflor Chrysanten where the whole process of breeding and production was shown.

The visit was intended to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing today’s. Amongst these challenges were the current security situation and the forex restrictions in the country. Collaboration was another theme they spoke about during the visit. The embassy promised full support on the subjects discussed. On Friday the 11^th of August the National Bank of Ethiopia has taken a number of policy measures aimed at reducing inflation in a significant manner. Hence, a new directive is being released whereby exporters retain 40 percent of their foreign exchange proceeds for their account. Ethiopia is a country with thirteen months of sunshine where the Beekenkamp Group is participating as an entrepreneur. The company is enjoying a lot of benefits and the most important are an abundant trainable workforce, favorable climate, reliable and broad network of Ethiopian airlines (with dedicated cargo facilities) and a government that is willing to assist our company to grow.

The program continued with a lunch where other members of the horticultural business were present. In the afternoon other companies were visited.