Investment promotion agencies (IPAs) from Brazil, Egypt and Lesotho have been awarded for excellence in promoting sustainable investment in agriculture, contributing to food security and development.
The award ceremony took place during the 13th session of the Investment, Enterprise and Development Commission in Geneva and UNCTAD presented the awards. Egypt’s General Authority for Investment and Free Zones was awarded for facilitating the Canal Sugar Company, a project which is part of Egypt’s 2030 sustainable development vision to achieve food security while adapting to climate change using smart agriculture systems. The Canal Sugar Company project targets to train local farmers on minimal use of water and fertilizers with a goal of making Egypt become a self-reliant country on sugar production.
Agricultural production
UNCTAD awarded Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency for their innovation. The agency partnered with Israel Trade and Investment, the Japan External Trade Organization and Enterprise Singapore and launched a program dubbed ScaleUp, designed to attract international tech companies including agritech start-ups that help with innovative technological tools and systems to optimize agricultural production, rapidly detect plagues and diseases and contribute to climate-resilient agriculture.
Maluti Fresh Market Produce facility, attracted UNCTAD’s attention awarding Lesotho National Development Corporation. The agency launched the initiative with a goal of empowering local registered farmers by facilitating their access to markets and finance, thereby supporting them to transition from subsistence to commercial farming. The market has promoted investment by smallholder farmers in the production of local fruits and vegetables, reducing reliance on imported goods while providing better nutrition to Lesotho schools.
 from Brazil, Egypt and Lesotho have been awarded for excellence in promoting sustainable investment in agriculture, contributing to food security and development.){kind=link}