| .:: Creation
The Central Agricultural Market Information Bureau was created
in 1997 by the EU TACIS ‘Improved Marketing of Agricultural
Products’ Project’ as part of the project within
the Ministry of Agriculture and Processing Industry. In February
1999 the staff of The Central Agricultural Marketing Information
Bureau (CAMIB) formed CAMIB as an autonomous unit and registered
it as an NGO under Moldovan law. The same team that started
the Bureau is now working for CAMIB NGO, which is a non-governmental
and non-profit organization.
CAMIB is located in Chisinau, has no affiliates but closely
collaborates with other business services providers all over
Moldova, regularly providing marketing information and consulting
advice to local and foreign clients.
.:: Mandate
The mission of CAMIB NGO is two folders:
1/ to provide domestic food operators with
information and marketing services fundamental to create and
maintain market transparency - which is an indispensable prerequisite
of market economy;
2/ to promote the development of the civil
society movement and business sector in Moldova, in collaboration
with selected partners/communities, in the areas of community/NGO
development, with an emphasis on rural areas.
.:: Fields of Experience and Expertise
- conducting business development activities
(2001- to present – projects Alliance for Support
Agricultural Markets (ASPA), 2003 - 2005 - “Partnership
for Food Industry Development”, 2003-2004 - Cross-Border
Cooperation, Component “Wholesale Market Information
System in Ungheni Region”, Monitoring beer, soft drinks
and mineral water production and sales in Moldova, Efes Vitanta
Brewery (2001-2003), marketing support to Hulubas DEFand others):
- marketing advice (including creation and enforcement
of marketing Dpts, quality management and food safety systems
implementation) in export promotion of food and agricultural
products of such branches as wine, dairy, processed fruit
and vegetables, dried fruits and nuts;
- industry assessment (fruit processors, more recent e.g.
Orhei Vit, 2004-2005);
o export promotion: establishing contacts with buyers/importers
of agricultural and food products;
- market investigations, preparation of marketing/business
plans and investment profiles for the Moldovan companies
and foreign clients among which have been the following:
- Fruit and vegetable sector in Moldova (2004-2005) for
StePac);
- Hulubas DEF (meat producer) (2004): meat market in St.
Petersburg;
- Poultry Report for Moldova and Balkan states (for the
Council of the US exporters), (2003);
- Food Industry report (2004) (for USDA);
- Country profile: fishery sector (for FAO), 2004;
- Monitoring beer, soft drinks and mineral water production
and sales in Moldova, Efes Vitanta Brewery (2001-2003);
- Hides and skins (for Italians) (2001).
- conducting business training for Agri
and Food enterprises, SME staff:
- preparation of training publications and training of
marketing specialists from 14 APAs business centres on fruits,
vegetables, table grapes growing and marketing, including
conditions for export trade (project “Market Information
Support to agricultural producers (Uniagroprotect) in Moldova”
(2003);
- training of marketing specialists in export marketing
tools (project (2001- to present) projects Alliance for
Support Agricultural Markets (ASPA);
- training on how to make an investment business plan (Project
(2003 – 2005) “Partnership for Food Industry
Development”.
- enhancement of small farmers associations
(fish, poultry producers).
- policy advice in the field of business
opportunities and investment climate;
- Promotion of local and foreign companies
through creation of web sites, www.sdc.md , www.ialoveni.md,
www.hulubasdef.com , www.csbu.com; www.camib.com/maintradepage_ro.php;
- Information support system to
and training of meat/poultry/fish producers and food industry
(Information Support System include: Best practices of raw
material production and processing, Associations providing
cold chain services, Directory of meat, poultry and fish processing
enterprises; Business partnerships, HACCP Food Safety Systems);
- Consultancy on Food Quality and Safety
systems (ISO, HACCP) – the Moldovan Centre for
Food Safety and Quality: implementation to meat, poultry and
fish processing companies, e.g. Free Fisheries (fish), Tochile
Avicola JSC (poultry processor), Carmez International Ltd
(meat processor);
- Policy advice in the field food safety
system at food industry;
- Administrative support to program implementation;
- Grants Administration:
- Administration of Small Grants Program and consultancy
support/training services to NGOs with emphasis to rural
areas within the NGO Small Grants Program funded by Swiss
Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). The programme's
main objective is to ensure the sustainability of local
organizations in rural areas actively working in the social
sector
- Organisation logistics for the SDC
Program:
- Public relations;
- Organisation of press conferences;
- Conducting information sessions for NGOs.
.:: Data bases resources
- 6-year market price trends for fruits & vegetables/
livestock in Moldova and Eastern Europe -Market Information
System (MIS):retail and wholesale prices for around 50 different
products traded either in Moldova or in surrounding countries
(Romania, Russia, Byelorussia and Ukraine);
- Input/ fertilizers/ seeds suppliers in Moldova;
- Packaging producers in Moldova;
- Export/ Import statistics;
- Agricultural production statistics;
- Dedicated trade web site AGROCOMERT (go to www.camib.com),
helping local operators with business contacts and trade
information. It hosts data on supply, demand and cooperation,
posted by traders in Moldova and abroad.
.:: Publications
- Export Opportunities for Value Added products made in
Moldova, published by CNFA, 2004;
- Comparative Analysis of the EU and the Moldovan legislation
on veterinary and consumer protection (2002) (available
on www.pca.md );
- TRAINING MANUAL Food Marketing development in Moldova
(first edition, Dec 1997; second edition, July 1999);
- The current situation in fruit growing and fruit processing
sectors, funded by USAID, 2003;
- The current situation in vegetable growing and processing
sector, funded by USAID, 2003;
- The current situation in viticulture sector, funded by
USAID, 2003;
- Newsletter “NPA” – News from the Agrarian
Markets (since 1997) (available on www.camib.com against
subscription).
.:: Collaboration and established linkages
and relationships with agribusiness enterprises, research
institutes, universities:
International organizations: International
HACCP Alliance, the National Sea Food HACCP Alliance (USA),
CNFA, World Bank, TACIS, UNDP, ZMP (German Information Agency),
Embassies (French, US, German, Dutch, Ukrainian, Polish, Russian,
Belarusian); WFLO, FDA, USDA, EBRD, FAO.
Private companies: food processing
companies (fruit-,and vegetables, meat, fish processors, daories),
exporters of frozen fruits and vegetables, packaging producer
Russian-Israel joint company “StePac”;
Universities: Louisiana State University,
ILSI (international Life Sciences Institute Europe), Technical
university of Moldova;
Local authorities (Ministry of
Agriculture, Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Internal Affaires
Chamber of Commerce in Chisinau and Balti);
Agencies and associations: ASPA
(Alliance for Agricultural Market Support), ACAI (Consulting,
Assistance & Implementation Agency), ACSA (Agency for
Training and Consulting in Agriculture), ASSAD (Alliance of
Scientists for Sustainable Development), ACA (Alliance of
Credit Associations).
2001- to 2007 - Alliance for Support Agricultural
Markets (ASPA), financed by NOVIB, the Dutch donor,
implemented in partnership with AGROInform Federation and
Contact NGO resource centre, where CAMIB is providing marketing
advice and information with overall goal to facilitate rural
development and eliminate poverty.
CAMIB is a member of Coalition for Rural Economic Development
within the framework of this project.
Activities have been as follows:
- Contribute to legislating improvement regarding export
procedures and import tariff policy;
- create and run a Market Information System;
- assist farmer’ s cooperatives and entrepreneurs
in exporting by providing information on foreign markets
(on legislation, procedures, standards, market surveys etc.);
- support farmers in creating internal marketing cooperatives;
- stimulate long term contacts and contracts between farmers
and businessmen;
provide training of and advice support to regional consultants
on marketing.
2001-
to may 2006 - Administration of Small Grants Program
and consultancy support/training services to NGOs with emphasis
to rural areas within the NGO Small Grants Program funded
by Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). The
programme's main objective is to ensure the sustainability
of local organizations in rural areas actively working in
the social sector.
CAMIB provides NGOs with information, organization of round
tables, on-job training on financial issues, management, small
business development; facilitates relationship between NGOs,
public local authorities and other actors (business community,
educational and cultural institutions).
Responsibilities include:
- Administrative support to program implementation;
- Organization of logistics for the program;
- Participation in the decision taking process;
- Monitoring of the implemented projects;
- Public relations
-Organization of press conferences;
-Information sessions for NGOs on SGP;
- Support to NGOs for specific trainngFacilitation of networking
and experience exchange among accepted NGOs;
- Development of a quarterly newsletter.
2003
- 2005 - “Partnership for Food Industry Development”
(funded by USAID) detailed information on web site
www.camib.com/pfid ), which objectives are:
- HACCP implementation to plants and training (Food Safety);
- Operation of Information Support System to meat/poultry/fish
industry);
- Support to post harvest process (to promote knowledge
on effective technologies for post harvest and processing
in collaboration with association members (e.g. freshwater
fish preserves);
- Support to Associations (to contribute in capacity building
process - training and implementation, collaborative research,
participation in regulatory process);
- Facilitation of joint venture formation and search for
business partners in collaboration with other organizations.
Two events were held within the framework of this project:
(August 2003) A Round Table “Food safety (HACCP) implementation
in Moldova – problems and decisions” for institutions
concerned, including government officials and private business.
The focus was made on Government Regulation N 1297 of Nov
27, 2003 “On strengthening measures on food safety to
protect consumers, and terms of HACCP implementation at food
industry”, Regulatory issues of Food Safety (EU Legislation:
new approach); HACCP certification system, and Enhancement
of export capacity of food products by means of HACCP system
introduction.
The second event (October 2003) was a Conference on “joint
Venture Formation in the Republic of Moldova: problems and
Solutions”. The output of the Conference has been a
Task Force formation, comprising 15 volunteers from different
institutions.
2001-2004 - Cross-Border Cooperation,
EU TACIS project in Ungheni region. CAMIB is responsible
for Wholesale Agricultural Market Information System (MIS)
functioning in Ungheni region as the National MIS co-ordinator
- Promotion of Export Food Products Strategy as part of
TACIS Cross-border cooperation;
- The creation, implementation, piloting, follow-up and
upgrading of an interactive AWMIS Web Site that will allow
local, regional and international information carriers to
exchange agricultural-led information and business opportunities.
- The organization of a number of local and regional AWMIS
marketing and promotion events –including specific
agricultural product-oriented AWMIS (virtual) days;
- Development links between local administration and business
operators
2001- 2003 - “Market Information
Support to agricultural producers in Moldova”, PFAP
The outputs of the projects were as follows:
- Producing regular reports with brief coverage of market
situation and Price Bulletins “Preturi” covering
retail and wholesale prices for agricultural/food products
traded in Moldova and in neighboring countries (Romania,
Russia, Byelorussia and Ukraine);
- Production of Monthly bulletins NPA (Noutatile Pietei
Agricole) with market intelligence on external markets;
- Publishing 3 quarterly Agricultural Commodity Market Reports
(Analiza Sectorului Agricol) (in Romanian language) containing
forecast, with visual supplemented for farmers;
- Organization of 3 Round tables for presentation of Commodity
reports;
- Conducting training sessions on this topic in 4 business
centers with participation of representatives from all APAs.
1996-2000 Improved Marketing of Agricultural
Products
Main results reached by the project can be summarized as it
follows:
- the setting up of an Agricultural Market Intelligence
Bureau (CAMIB), which has quickly become a referential point
for Moldavian food operators seeking market information
and marketing services. In February 1999, CAMIB was transformed
in an independent organization;; in June 2000 –with
the agreement of the MoAFI, the former Project counterpart,
CAMIB has become the new beneficiary of the Project.
- the operation of a Market Information System (MIS).
- the implementation of marketing pilot actions in the dairy;
dried fruit; wine and canning sectors. All the pilots aimed
at providing the assisted enterprises with a more competitive
basis for their current and future marketing activities;
- the development of specific market investigations to back
up project’s activities. This included:
- (i) a survey on the domestic (Moldovan) dairy and fruit
and vegetables sectors (March 1997);
- (ii) an investigation on the Russian processed fruit and
vegetables market (May-July 1997);
- (iii) a preliminary investigation of the wine market in
the Moscow region (June 1997);
- (iv) a research on the Moldovan dairy products market
(August 1998); and
- (v) a wine market investigation in Latvia and Estonia
to back up export of Moldovan wines in these two countries
(January-March 1999).
- the implementation of Export Promotion activities. This
included:
- (i) the regular intelligence of external markets for all
sectors key to Moldavian food economy, and dissemination
of timely information on trade statistics, market developments,
customs and trade legislation through the monthly project’s
newsletter.
- (ii) the setting up of data-bases on potential exporting/importing
companies and on customs procedures and requirements;
- (iii) the creation of the trade web site Agrocomert, aimed
to provide Moldovan agri-food operators with direct business
contacts with domestic and foreign counterparts;
- (iv) the organization and implementation of 3 business
trips in Italy; the provision of technical and financial
support to domestic enterprises for taking part to International
Trade Fairs, in Moscow (February 1998), in Poznan (Poland,
October 1998), and in Italy (October 1997, April 1999);
- The organization of the Conference “Meeting International
Food Trade Standards” < Chisinau, 2000, initiated
by CAMIB NGO aimed to widen awareness of the need for quality
monitoring and assurance systems within the community of
export oriented Moldovan food processing operators;
- the elaboration and dissemination of market and marketing
information material (articles, flyers, booklets, manuals)
to support food production and marketing.
- the organization of training events and the production
of training material. The training book "Dezvoltarea
Marketingului Agroalimentar" (in Romanian, 2 editions),
was produced by the Project, used as training tool during
the seminars/workshops organised by the project, and distributed/sold
with the aim of supporting education in the area of agricultural
and food marketing.
CAMIB staff is well trained and has proved itself
as professional team able to carry all kind of marketing activities.
Currently, eight members and one foreign expert (voluntar)
represents the CAMIB staff:
Mrs. Valentina Chitoraga, President,
Market Information System Co-ordinator.
She graduated from the Academy of Economic Studies, major
marketing. Mrs. Chitoraga worked for FAO project in the area
of horticultural marketing and prepared a training module
on this topic. Working experience in marketing field for three
years, as market information system co-ordinator within TACIS
Project in Moldova "Improved Marketing of Agricultural
Products".
Mr. Veaceslav Mahu, Business
Information Manager, Chief Accountant..
He graduated from the Technical University. Mr. Mahu attended
a marketing course organised by TACIS program in Moldova.
Working experience in marketing field for three years, as
a market analyst and business information manager within TACIS
Project in Moldova "Improved Marketing of Agricultural
Products".
Miss Andriana Stepan, Marketing
Information System Co-ordinato.
She graduated from the Academy of Economic Studies of
Moldova, faculty – marketing.
Mr. Sergiu Otean, Marketing
analist.
He graduated from the Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova,
faculty – management.
Our Voluntares
Mr. Paolo Galliadi
Team Leader of the EU/TACIS "Improved Marketing of Agricultural
Products" Project in Moldova (1998-2000).
Specialized in Agri-business Economics. Economist with
8 years of experience in Market Research and Marketing Information
Systems (MIS). Main areas of experience: Market Research project,
development and management; MIS project, implementation and
management; Agricultural commodities market and agri-food
industry analysis.
CAMIB has all the necessary technical
facilities for carrying out all kind of marketing activities
in a proper way which include: computers, printers,
fax, Xerox, modems (email access), cars, etc. All CAMIB
members have their own computer and printer. We have different
kind of software applications necessary for providing numerical
and analytical analysis. |