<p></p><p>ACA has begun to gather support for our upcoming ACA World Cashew Festival & Expo, which will be held in Bissau in September 2016. From February 4th to February 9th, 2016 an ACA Team, including Managing Director Dr. Babafemi Oyewole, held various meetings throughout Bissau to plan the upcoming conference and identify willing partners. <br></p> <p>The ACA team met with the local organizing committee (LOC) to review their role in conference preparation and discuss strategies for logistics and industry organization. The LOC consists of ANCA, the national regulatory agency for cashew in Guinea-Bissau, as well as PRSPDA, a World Bank project focused on private sector rehabilitation in the cashew sector. ANCA and PRSPDA both expressed their commitemnt to ensuring a successful conference, stating that this event was an opportunity for the industry in Guinea-Bissau to gain international exposure. ACA will work closely with ANCA and PRSPDA to promote sector organization in advance of the event in September. <br></p> <p>On February 8th, the ACA team, along with the President of ANCA and the Coordinator of PRSPDA, met with the Minister of Finance and Economy in Guinea-Bissau. Dr. Oyewole introduced ACA and the annual conference to the Minister and discussed upcoming plans for sector organization with ANCA and PRSPDA. The Minister expressed strong support for the 2016 World Cashew Festival & Expo and pledged to provide government assistance throughout preparations. <br></p> <p>ACA greatly appreciates the support of the Guinea-Bissau government and private sector stakeholders in Bissau. Following these meetings, ACA is confident that Bissau is an excellent location to hold our 10th annual conference and is excited to welcome our members and partners to Guinea-Bissau in September.<br></p><p></p>