Business opportunities in the Ethiopian fruit and vegetable sector

The horticultural sector in Ethiopia is growing strongly. Major part of this growth is created by investments in the floriculture sector. Recently more and more in terest from the Dutch private sector is shown in the Ethiopian fruits and vegeta ble sector. Export of fruit and vegetables has been limited but is now growing strongly with new investors coming in. Both in Europe and in the Middle East there is a growing interest for products from Ethiopia. Presently, the main export products are fresh beans, strawberries, tomatoes, courgettes, peppers and fresh herbs. A potential new crop is table grapes. The Government of Ethiopia gives high pri ority to the development of the horticulture sector and in 2008 the Horticultural Development Agency has been established with a specific focus to promote and support the further development of the horticulture sector. It is concluded that the further development of the fruit and vegetable sector in Ethiopia for export to Europe and the Middle East has good perspectives and provides interesting opportunities for foreign investors. The sector is however still in its infant stage. Facilitating conditions for doing business are not yet op timal, but are expected to improve in the near future. For growers who consider starting operations in Ethiopia it is important to carefully select a location and ensure getting the logistical and cool chain well organised beforehand. For companies considering sourcing from Ethiopia it is important to build good relations with the potential growers, provide hands on guidance and train ing and invest in organising the logistical supply chain well

Pilot to improve linkage of domestic tomato supply chains to local high segment markets

The pilot aims to link smallholder tomato farmers in both Kenya and Tanzania to local high segment markets as supermarkets, hotels, restaurants and hospitals

Improving the Tanzanian-Mombasa cross-border tomato product chain: a study of Mombasa tomato market : draft report

The study of Mombasa tomato market is part of the project “Development of Commercial Field Vegetable Production, Distribution and Marketing for the East African Market”. The project is implementing a pilot activity on improving crossborder tomato chains from Ngarenanyuki, Tanzania, to Mombasa, Kenya. The overall objective of the study was to assess the requirements, institutional setting and current supply issues of the Mombasa tomato market and to describe the supply chain logistics and characteristics

Dutch business opportunities in the Turkish biodiesel sector

To research possibilities for Dutch businesses to be involved in the Turkish biodiesel sector, a short literature study and unstructured interviews with sector stakeholders were performed. Turkey is interested to develop its biofuel sector particularly to improve its security of energy supply, more than climatic based reasons. Turkey is currently importing most of its energy needs. About 50% of oil is used for transportation. Biodiesel has been produced chiefly from imported oilseeds. However, the quantities of locally produced rapeseed and to a lesser extent safflower has increased strongly in the last few years. Biodiesel production grew from 2005 onwards but always remained under its capacity. In mid 2008 production was completely halted. Input prices were high and supporting policies were lacking. Mixing gasoline with biodiesel in Turkey is not mandatory. Economic reforms following the financial crisis in 2001 and a new direct foreign investment law has improved the investment climate for foreign investors. Current possibilities for the Dutch private sector to be involved in the Turkish biodiesel sector are however very limited. Local demand for biodiesel is low and a clear policy focus on biodiesel is still lacking

CSR business models and change trajectories in the retail industry; A Dynamic Benchmark Exercise (1995-2007)

Sustainability or Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is an important societal issue that also gains momentum in the food retail industry. Companies apply different strategies towards sustainability and can alter these over time. This report presents the findings of RSM research on (changes in) business models of CSR strategies within three leading Dutch food retailers as well as three leading European food retailers. The research reveals the level of internal and external alignment as important factors to understand the design and the development of the companies' CSR business model

The future endocrine patient. Reflections on the future of clinical endocrinology

In recent years the future position of clinical endocrinology has been extensively discussed by Western European endocrine societies. Clinical endocrinology seems to suffer from being too intellectual, generating too little income, and lacking too few spectacular interventions. In this manuscript we describe 'the endocrine patient' of the past, the present, and the future. Complete therapeutic breakthroughs resulting in 'cure' are compared with 'halfway technologies' which help in creating the (life-long) chronic endocrine patient. The potential use of molecular diagnostics in optimalizing hormone replacement therapy is discussed. Clinical endocrinology is at risk of developing into a subspecialty where life-style drugs created for new diseases or conditions are offered, but also actively pursued by otherwise healthy individuals (e.g. in normal short stature, regulation of appetite, body composition, sexuality, reproduction and aging). The potential opportunities and risks for clinical endocrinology in creating 'the endocrine patient' of the future are discussed

Scenario-ontwikkeling voor het natuurbeleid

De Natuurverkenning 2010-2040 is als scenariostudie uitgevoerd om te verkennen welke richtingen het natuurbeleid op termijn zou kunnen inslaan. Via de scenario-onderdelen worden beleidsmakers stap voor stap in het langetermijndenken meegenomen. Dit wordt versterkt doordat de onderdelen het karakter van kwalitatieve verhalen hebben gekregen, die bovendien toegankelijk zijn verbeeld en op onderdelen kwantitatief zijn uitgewerkt. Doordat beleidsmakers zelf in de verkenning hebben geparticipeerd is hun ontvankelijkheid ervoor vergroot. Over: natuurverkenning, scenariomethode, normatieve scenario's en stakeholderparticipati