Between 30th and 31st March 2022 UNIDO ITPO Italy assisted a business and institutional delegation from Somalia - composed by representatives of Jubba Agro, a Somali company in the field of agritech, Premier Bank, a Somali bank, and SOMinvest, the Somalia Investment Promotion Office - to take part in several company visits in the Italian region of Umbria with regards to the sectors of agritech and irrigation.

On 30th March, the Somali delegation met with Nardi Group, one of the leading companies in manufacturing implements for professional farming, well-known both in Somalia and other countries of Africa. While Jubba Agro had already bought some equipment from Nardi in 2021, the purpose of this meeting was to increase their partnership and to establish a long-standing and stable collaboration for the forthcoming years, and within this framework the Premier Bank could play the role of their financial partner. The mission was joined by the Director of SOMinvest, whose participation was instrumental to provide an institutional framework to the partnership.

The occasion was also useful to meet a representative of New Holland Agriculture - CNH Industrial, who gave his availability to provide tractors for Jubba Agro operations. The three companies (Jubba Agro, Nardi, and New Holland Agriculture) introduced themselves and agreed to elaborate together a business plan to be presented to the Premier Bank and eventually to an Italian bank.

On 31st March the focus was irrigation: the delegation had the opportunity to meet with representatives of Giunti, an Italian company involved in the production of all kinds of equipment for irrigation (e.g. hydrants, pipes, filtering stations, spray booms, etc.), as well as with SAB (part of System Group), a leader company in Italy for micro-irrigation, drip irrigation and sprinklers. The visit to the two plants was useful to better understand all the production phases, fostering the exchange of knowledge and best practices.

Finally, the delegation went to AgriUmbria exhibition, where they had the possibility to see the booth of Giunti, showing particular interest for the traveller hose and reel machines, and for which Jubba Agro will send an offer request to Giunti.

UNIDO ITPO Italy also assisted representatives of SOMinvest during their visit to Rome - to meet on 4th April with Confindustria Assafrica & Mediterraneo, Federalimentare, FederUnacoma, Farmindustria, Federazione ANIMA Confindustria and BonelliErede, and on 6th April with Simest.