Regional Updates MIDDLE EAST/MEDITERRANEAN COMMENTS This past week has been the Eid Al Adha period in the Middle East/North Africa (MENA) region. Banks and government offices closed for several days, and news of grain matters has been very limited. With Saudi Arabia changing its standards for wheat imports, wheat exporters in Germany are concerned as they see their largest market (Saudi) disappearing and say they will be trying to develop replacements. Syria and Crimea are reportedly planning to sign an “economic cooperation agreement” at the 61st Damascus International Fair, scheduled for 28 August-6 September, with the latter sending a high-level delegation there in advance. There will also be discussions regarding the pos...
Accountability and a comprehensive approach to export programming
WPI’s team helped construct a strategic approach to develop, implement, and track promotional activities in 8 key regions across the globe for an agricultural export association. With continued progress measurement and strategic advisory services from WPI, the association has seen its ROI from investments in promotional programming increase by 44 percent over the past 5 years. Not only does this type of holistic approach to organizational strategy provide measurable results to track and analyze, it fosters top-down and bottom-up organizational accountability.