The aim of the new deal is to foster economic opportunities by offering zero-tariff treatment to Least Developed Countries in Africa. (Image source: Republic of Kenya)

Chinese president Xi Jinping recently announced a 10-point partnership action plan for Africa for the next three years

During the opening of the ninth Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Summit in Beijing, President Xi Jinping mentioned that the 10 action plans will provide Africa with US$50bn of financial support. This will include a US$29.4bn credit line, US$11.2bn of various forms of assistance and at least US$9.8bn of investment in Africa by Chinese companies. Additionally, China will also encourage and support Africa in issuing Panda Bonds in China to enhance results-oriented cooperation.

President Xi said modernisation should put people first and strive to reduce poverty, provide jobs and foster inclusive growth. He further emphasised the need for open, win-win modernisation, noting that China and Africa together account for one-third of the world’s population and without it, there will be no global modernisation. 

He announced that China will elevate the status of African countries with diplomatic relations to a strategic level so that they join what he called 'the all-weather Chinese community'. He said the 10-point plan will be achieved through cooperation in governance, experience-sharing platforms, knowledge networks and leadership training programmes.

The aim of the new deal is to foster economic opportunities by offering zero-tariff treatment to least developed countries in Africa, expanding market access for agricultural products and establishing economic partnerships. The partnership actions also focus on industrial cooperation, enhancing digital technology and implementing connectivity projects like infrastructure development to support the Africa Continental Free Trade Area. 

The partnership will not only engage in improving the health sector by supporting Africa's pharmaceutical industry, but will also extend to agriculture. Some of the plans include emergency food assistance and development, people-to-people exchanges to strengthen vocational education and cultural programmes, and green development initiatives, including clean energy and disaster mitigation projects. Furthermore, China will provide military assistance, training and conduct joint exercises to enhance cooperative security efforts with Africa.

“China is prepared to implement 30 infrastructure connectivity projects in Africa, promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and put in place a China-Africa network featuring land-sea links and coordinated development,” President Xi said. "We will give Africa US$140mn of grants in military assistance, provide training for 6,000 military personnel and 1,000 police and law enforcement officers from Africa, and invite 500 young African military officers to visit China."

The panel discussion session was themed 'Outlook from the Region Update and Prospect for Cooperation.' (Image source: Republic of Uganda)

Minister of State for International Cooperation, Henry Oryem Okello represented the President at the Second Indonesia-Africa Forum (IAF) II from 1-3 September 2024 in Nusa Dua, Badung, Bali 

As Chair of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), Okello on behalf of President Yoweri Museveni, through his statement recalled the 1955 Bandung conference that laid the foundation of the 10 Bandung principles which have been the cornerstone of the NAM. 

Despite the tremendous strides made by NAM in foreseeing a more peaceful world, Okello highlighted that there is an even greater challenge of fostering economic prosperity for all and achieving the SDGs.Okello hailed the strong bilateral relations between Indonesia and Uganda and also the wider continent of Africa. Underlining the need to harness the potential of the youth in the global economy through digitalisation to accelerate growth, he said it was also important to expand production in critical sectors like agriculture through mechanisation and irrigation.

He also highlighted the importance of addressing the challenges associated with climate change through collective efforts. The Minister reiterated the importance of fulfilling commitments made towards mitigation but not at the expense of economic progress for the developing countries. Okello also underscored the importance of empowering SMEs transition to industrialisation and the huge potential for tourism where Indonesia has made tremendous strides that can be emulated.

Okello also delivered some notable remarks during the Panel Discussion I of the IAF themed 'Outlook from the Region Update and Prospect for Cooperation,' that took place on 2 September.

21st.BIO is supporting customers in upscaling their production all the way to full-scale ingredient production. (Image source: 21st.BIO)

Precision fermentation platform provider 21st.BIO has earned a self-affirmed GRAS status for its animal-free beta-lactoglobulin ingredient, BLG Essential+, which means customers can now launch in the US market

This breakthrough comes less than two years after 21st.BIO initiated its development of a strain and production process for its beta-lactoglobulin protein, BLG Essential+, demonstrating the power of the Company's approach, unique expertise and differentiated precision fermentation platform.

Through 21st.BIO's BLG programme, customers gain access to the world's most advanced production strains and precision fermentation processes - and optimisations over time. Furthermore, 21st.BIO is supporting customers in upscaling their production all the way to full-scale ingredient production. The Company's diverse global customer base spans food-tech start-ups to large food ingredients manufacturers. BLG Essential+ is the first food protein out of a portfolio of protein ingredients that 21st.BIO will take to the market via this model. 

With a strong track record and productive microorganisms licensed from Novonesis (formerly Novozymes), 21st.BIO is bringing solutions to market at an unprecedented pace, enabling customers to bypass years of development and market approval for direct entry into the US market and empowering customers to produce any food, materials, agriculture, or biopharma-related protein or peptide of interest, and scale production to industrial levels to ensure large-scale availability and cost-effectiveness.  

"We're not just a technology provider - we're a partner to our customers' on their product journey, ensuring their success from development to full-scale manufacturing. We make products, not projects," said 21st.BIO co-founder and CEO Thomas G. Schmidt. "Our ambition is to empower our customers to focus more on application, business development, low-cost production and innovation. And this shows all the way through our business model, which is designed such that our success at 21st.BIO depends on our customers' success in the market with a product; not just on project completion." 

With a vision to contribute to the sustainable development of agriculture in Japan and Asia, J AGRI Tokyo serves as a crucial business platform driving the agricultural industry in Asia. (Image source: RX Japan)

Leading exhibition organiser, RX Japan is preparing to invite businesses from around the world to discover groundbreaking smart farming technologies at J AGRI Tokyo 2024

Scheduled to take place from 9-11 October at Makuhari Messe in Japan, this premier event offers unparalleled networking opportunities and showcases the latest advancements in the agricultural and livestock industry. J AGRI Tokyo 2024 is set to be a pivotal platform for businesses and professionals in the agricultural sector, offering a unique opportunity to source international smart farming technologies, conduct on-the-spot business meetings, and meet new distributors and importers from around the world. 

With a focus on smart farming, smart livestock farming, and farming drones and robots, J AGRI Tokyo 2024 is a one-stop destination for importers, wholesalers, agricultural cooperatives, farmers, researchers, and government officials. The exhibition features thousands of innovative agritech solutions designed to enhance productivity, efficiency, and sustainability in agriculture. Among the highlights of this year’s show are some newly launching or improved agritech devices and products that visitors can personally explore.

Some notable products include:

1. Autonomous Robot for Rough Terrain 'Titan': An autonomous robot designed to operate on rough terrain and perform a range of labour-saving agricultural tasks.

2. AT2 Agricultural Machinery Automatic Steering System: Utilises GNSS and RTK technology to achieve a steering accuracy of ±2.5 cm on any terrain.

3. AC101 Connect: A domestically produced drone by NTT e-Drone Technology, offering lightweight, compact, and fuel-efficient operation.

4. HERMAI Robot: An agricultural robot designed for autonomous operation in high-tech greenhouses. 

Attendees at the event will have the chance to engage in on-the-spot business meetings, ensuring comprehensive networking opportunities that can lead to long-lasting partnerships. With last year’s edition attracting over 36,000 visitors and featuring more than 900 exhibitors, this year's event offers a broad array of innovations and insights that can transform the agricultural industry. 

With a vision to contribute to the sustainable development of agriculture in Japan and Asia, J AGRI Tokyo serves as a crucial business platform driving the agricultural industry in Asia. Co-located with GARDEX and TOOL JAPAN, it offers a unique opportunity to explore the synergies between these industries and maximise the potential for business growth.