President Danilo Medina attended the opening of the Feria Agroalimentaria 2013 at the Jaragua Hotel yesterday evening, Wednesday 22 May. The government has given strong backing to the biennial event where farm and agribusiness produce are showcased. Some 125 international buyers have been invited, and fair organizers say this could have a positive effect in the shape of a US$200 million increase in exports next year, up from US$170 million generated in the fair held in 2011.
Pre-arranged appointments link buyers with the producers. In 2007, during the first year of the fair, there were 650 appointments. By 2009, this increased to 800, and in 2011 there were 1,245 pre-arranged appointments. The fair, which continues until Saturday 24 May, is open from 10am to 8pm at the Hotel Jaragua in Santo Domingo.