.:: 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.