Azerbaijan, Baku, May 22 / Trend A. Akhundov /
The Azerbaijani Ministry of Agriculture predicts the growth of agricultural production in the country by six to seven per cent as of 2013, Azerbaijani Minister of Agriculture Ismet Abbasov said at the opening of the International Exhibition WorldFood Azerbaijan 2013 today.
"Last year, agricultural production increased by more than six per cent and by 4.8 per cent in January-April 2013," he said. "However, taking into account that most of the operations are planned to be conducted in the second half of the year, we expect a growth rate of six to seven per cent."
He added that these exhibitions play an important in the process of development of the industry.
WorldFood Azerbaijan 2013, the Azerbaijan International Food Industry Exhibition, is taking place at the Baku Expo Centre in Azerbaijan's capital from May 22-24, 2013.
The exhibition is organised by Iteca Caspian and ITE Group Plc., a leading organiser of international exhibitions and conferences in fast developing and emerging markets.
The exhibition is also supported by the Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Foundation and the National Confederation of Entrepreneurs (Employers) Organisations of the Azerbaijan Republic.
A record 179 food and beverage companies from 31 countries will be represented covering a spectrum of food and beverage industry sectors. Both exhibitor numbers and exhibition space have grown by 27 per cent at this year's event.