ProColombia Organizes Trade Show of Colombia’s Top Agricultural Goods for Aruba and Curaçao

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ORANJESTAD, Aruba, Aug. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/– Colombia, recognized by the FAO as a rising global pantry for fruits and vegetables, will showcase its agricultural leadership at the upcoming Showroom Aruba-Curaçao 2024. This trade event, organized by ProColombia, taking place on September 10th in Aruba and September 12th in Curaçao at the Renaissance Hotel at 2PM EST, will showcase a diverse range of high-quality products from leading Colombian companies coming from various regions. It highlights Colombia’s commitment to expanding agricultural exports and reinforcing its reputation as a reliable supplier to the Caribbean Islands.

Carmen Caballero, President of ProColombia, the country’s promotion agency, stated, “Colombia, the Country of Beauty, is committed to maintaining and expanding its presence in these islands. Our close geographical proximity and diverse range of year-round products give us a competitive edge. This showroom serves as a strategic platform for Colombian exporters to connect directly with key buyers and distributors in the region”.

Among the 16 participants (see catalog here) are companies such as Amor Perfecto, known for its world-class coffee; Comestibles Mapy, specializing in premium snacks; and Pulpafruit, a leader in fruit pulps and derivatives. All these 16 companies not only offer top-quality products but also reflect Colombia’s commitment to sustainability and social responsibility. They represent a wide range of sectors, including fresh fruits, dairy, coffee, chocolates, and oils, all meeting international quality standards with certifications such as Kosher, and Global GAP (Good Agricultural Practices).

In 2023, Colombia’s agricultural exports to Aruba and Curaçao reached significant milestones. Aruba imported USD 11 million in food products, accounting for 31% of Colombia’s total exports to the island, while Curaçao imported USD 19.5 million in Colombian food products, making up 32.17% of the total exports.

These figures highlight Colombia’s strong presence in the Islands and its consistent delivery of high-quality products. That’s why events like these are crucial for fostering bilateral relationships and opening new trade opportunities in the Caribbean.

“We encourage buyers to get to know our companies and explore the extensive range of products from Colombia’s diverse industrial regions. As a geographically close and strategic partner, Colombia is well-positioned to meet all your supply needs,” Caballero concluded.

Learn more about Colombia’s agribusiness offer, reach out to ProColombia’s – Tania Tejada ttejada@procolombia.co

Read more about Aruba News | News Americas Now.

Meet The Caribbean Born Man A Malaysian Tycoon’s Daughter Gave Up US$ Millions For

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Jedidiah Francis, or “Jed,” as he is affectionately called, was born in St. Vincent & the Grenadines. (Linked In Image)

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY: The love of her Caribbean man – Jedidiah Francis  is worth more than the US $407 million she was set to inherit as the daughter of one of Malaysia’s richest men.

So who is the man that 34-year-old Angeline Francis Khoo is giving up all that money for while cutting ties with her father, Tan Sri Khoo Kay Peng, chairman of fashion and lifestyle company, Laura Ashley?

News Americas Now has found he was born in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and is the holder of a DPhil degree in Statistics from Oxford University.

Jedidiah Francis, or “Jed,” as he is affectionately called, attended the St Mary’s RC School in Kingstown, and completed his secondary education at the St Vincent Grammar School.

Francis back in 2006. (Search Light ad/image)

According to a 2006 ad in the Searchlight by his family, he graduated from the St Vincent Community College as one of two ‘Students of the Year’ in 2000, receiving awards for being the best Biology and Mathematics student.”

In his search for opportunities for higher education, he joined the British army in February 2001 and was trained as a soldier and then as an Electronic Engineer. In July 2002 he received an honorable discharge from the army to pursue his personal academic goals.

Having received acceptance from Queen Mary University of London, Francis was granted a NCB scholarship to read for a BSc degree in Biology with Business Management in 2003, and graduated with first class honors in July 2006.

His interest in mathematics and biology converged in his BSc dissertation, where he developed a statistical model to describe the proliferation of transposons or “jumping genes” in mosquito populations.

His work on modeling jumping genes gained him entry into Oxford University where he worked alongside leading researchers to develop statistical models of HIV genetic evolution.

Asked about his motivation and drive in 2006, Francis ascribed all his success to the faithfulness of God, and highlighted the input of his parents, Mr & Mrs Eli and Vienna Francis and family.

Jedidiah Francis, 3rd from r, as part of a tech panel in April 2017. (Twitter image)

At the time, his family also acknowledged the financial support of the Marriaqua Friendly Society (Bun Pan) during his Secondary School and A-level years, the National Commercial Bank for providing the finances to complete his BSc degree, and Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves and the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines for their sterling support.

Francis reportedly met Khoo at Oxford. After her father expressed disapproval of the man she wanted to marry, she severed ties with him and married him anyway.

“I believed Dad’s stance was wrong, so there was no question about what was right,” she told the Daily Mail.

The couple now live in London. Francis, according to his Linked In profile is head of data science at online fashion retailer, ASOS.com. He lists his specialties as: Statistical Modelling, Probabilistic modelling, Computational Statistics, Data Analysis, Machine learning algorithms and data mining among others.