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Ethiopia: Starbucks Officials to Visit This Week Expected to Make Announcement to Better Relations
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The Daily Monitor (Addis Ababa)
27 November 2007
Posted to the web 27 November 2007
Biruk Girma
Addis Ababa
A business delegation comprising top management from Starbucks, the US-based coffee giant once at loggerheads with Ethiopia over trademarks, is due to visit Ethiopia on Wednesday this week, as part of its East Africa tour, The Daily Monitor has learnt.
The purpose of the visit, seen as a sign of improving relations, is said to be to highlight the company's commitment and shed light on the progress made to bolster its dealings with the country that the world prides as the birth place of coffee.
The entourage will meet with higher government officials, coffee farmers, policy-makers, opinion leaders and members of the business community to underscore the company's investments in the region.
On focus during the delegation's trip will be the progress made since February 2007 announcement at the East African Fine Coffee Association (EAFCA) Conference and the signing of the Ethiopian Agreement.
"The opportunity showcases the continued amicable relationship between Starbucks Coffee and the East African coffee growers," the company said in a statement issued ahead of the visit.
According to the statement, the officials are scheduled to hold a joint press conference with the media along with representatives of the Ethiopian Government at the Sheraton Addis on the outcome of the visit.
They are also expected to announce a big move regarding the company's partnership with Ethiopian coffee farmers.
According to sources close to the company and its business affairs in Ethiopia, the new move being announced is set to benefit thousands of coffee farmers towards their efforts to produce a high quality and specialty Ethiopian Coffee for sale to the international market.
Starbucks chairman Howard Schultz, accompanied by Cliff Burrows, President Starbucks EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa), Dub Hay, Starbucks senior vice president of Coffee and Tea Procurement, and Sandra Taylor, Starbucks senior vice president of Corporate Social Responsibility, make up the Star backs team on what is said to be a very important business trip here.
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Ethiopia accounts for the majority of the fine coffee Starbucks buys in Africa, according to the sources.
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