On 22-29 October 2014, Mauricio Galindo, Head of Operations at ICO, visited the Lao People’s Democratic Republic on the occasion of the 1st Lao Coffee Festival.
Mr Galindo delivered a speech on production and consumption trends in the global coffee industry as well as climate-related challenges farmers are facing around the world. In light of current discussions that Laos may join the International Coffee Organization, he also presented a brief history of the ICO and the benefits of becoming a Member country.
Attendees of the 1st Lao Coffee Festival celebrated the beginning of the coffee harvest season and the 20th anniversary of the Lao Coffee Association, an organisation that represents Laotian coffee producers, roasters and traders.
A national strategy for the promotion of Laotian coffee was also announced officially at the event. The strategy emphasises the government’s focus on increasing productivity, quality and commercialisation of Laotian coffee and a commitment to strengthening public institutions to support the coffee industry in the country.
“The public and private sectors in Laos are taking all of the right steps to become leaders in the global coffee industry. The ICO welcomes the steps that are being taken to strengthen its national coffee institutions and increasing its representation on the global stage by way of the International Coffee Organization,” said Mauricio Galindo.
