As it is the first time that Argentina will host the International Congress of Dried Grape Producing Countries, the South American country is under the spotlight. Governor Gioia and Leonardo Boto, executive director of the Exportar Foundation, provided details about the Congress' 54th edition, which will be held in San Juan in November.
The head of the Foreign Trade Chamber of San Juan, Antonio Giménez, thanked the government for their support in organizing this year's version. "This congress has been hosted by a producing country followed by a consuming country ever since it was first held in 1961. Argentina had never had the possibility of hosting it and now we're going to do it in November. The main producers and exporters of dried grapes in the world will be coming and that will allow us to exchange ideas and improve our products," he said.
Leonardo Boto said "this conference is very important because of the movement it represents. Additionally, San Juan will become a reference for this activity, and then there's all the publicity that this type of event brings," he said.
Governor Jose Luis Gioia ended the press conference by stressing how important it is for San Juan to have been chosen to host this conference.
"We thank all the officials from Exportar and from the Ministry of Agriculture's Office. It's laudable to know that San Juan will host this event. Being able to bring together dried grape producers and the people form Exportar, as well as holding this Congress in Argentina for the first time and in our province makes us feel proud. San Juan produces just over 90 percent of the dried grapes in the country. This makes us confident about the province's importance in the production of dried grapes as we have the best environmental conditions to produce them. The grapes ripen and then are placed under the sun, allowing us to have one of the best raisins in the world, because of their taste, colour and product quality. There's no doubt the Government of San Juan, through the Ministry of Production, will give full support to this Congress so that it helps launch the province's product worldwide, "said governor Gioia.
The International Congress of Dried Grape Producing Countries will be attended, among others, by Afghanistan, Australia, Chile, China, the US, Greece, India, Iran, South Africa, Turkey and Uzbekistan.
Source: Infocampo