BALTIMORE, MD - President Armando Guebuza of Mozambique, leading U.S. government officials, and TechnoServe today unveiled a newly branded cashew nut, "Zambique," for its first export sale to a U.S. buyer, Suntree. This brand launch and new business-linkage demonstrates how targeted U.S. foreign assistance combined with international business expertise from TechnoServe are helping African entrepreneurs transform a declining industry once integral to Mozambique's economy.

Beyond growing business opportunities, the Zambique brand and expansion to the U.S. market offer a successful SME model for overcoming the challenges of poverty and expanding products available to American consumers.

President Guebuza stated, "The successful rebirth of the cashew sector is one of many concrete signs that Mozambique continues on a path of economic growth and offers real opportunities for expanded business links with U.S. firms." Guebuza added, "TechnoServe continues to be an industry leader and innovator when it comes to producing scalable models that offer greater business opportunities for African entrepreneurs."

Several years ago, TechnoServe, in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and other public and private donors, introduced an innovative growth model for the depressed cashew sector in Mozambique based on entrepreneur-owned cashew processing businesses. Implementation of the plan has enabled the local cashew industry to restore growth in the industry and add value, generate wealth, create jobs, and better equip local people with the ability to confront poverty.

Cashew nut production is Mozambique's single largest industry and represents the primary source of cash income for an estimated 940,000 small-scale farmers and their families who grow and harvest them.

Lloyd Pierson, Assistant Administrator for Africa for USAID stated, "The pace of economic growth and development in Africa is of paramount concern to the United States and the international community. There is growing consensus in both Africa and the U.S. that open trade and international investment are the surest and fastest ways for Africa to make progress." Pierson added, "Partnerships between USAID and organizations like TechnoServe help transform good ideas into good businesses which create opportunity and hope."

Bruce McNamer, President and CEO of TechnoServe said, "The cashew story in Mozambique is both transformational and inspirational. The cashew industry was in such deep decline many years ago that very few had the foresight and strength to press forward -- yet this story illustrates that wise and targeted foreign assistance, perseverance, good business sense, and market planning makes a clear-cut difference."

McNamer referred to these types of interventions as "cost-effective and replicable, which is particularly relevant as the leading industrialized nations consider additional development resources for Africa." TechnoServe remains a leader in the unfolding success of the Mozambican cashew story. TechnoServe is already busy helping to replicate the Mozambique success in Tanzania, Kenya, and Ghana.
The revitalized cashew market in Mozambique has attracted established U.S. buyers like Suntree. David Turner, President of Suntree, said, "Our company is committed to providing consistent, quality products at very competitive prices."
Turner, who will be on hand for the event, said, "Suntree is thrilled that the cashew market in Mozambique continues to move upward and partnering with the Zambique brand is now a reality."

Founded in 1968, TechnoServe helps entrepreneurial men and women in poor rural areas of the developing world to build businesses that provide jobs, income and economic opportunity. TechnoServe currently works in Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala and Peru. TechnoServe was recognized as one of the world's "10 Most Outstanding Social Entrepreneurs for 2004" by the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, founded by the creator of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Web site: http://www.technoserve.org.

TechnoServe, Inc.

TechnoServe, Inc.

TechnoServe is leading a movement that empowers people in the developing world to build businesses that break the cycle of poverty. Growing enterprises generate jobs and other income opportunities for poor people, enabling them to improve their lives and secure a better future for their families. Since its founding in 1968, the U.S.-based nonprofit has helped to create or expand thousands of businesses, benefiting millions of people in more than 30 countries. The Financial Times has rated TechnoServe one of the top five NGOs for corporate partnerships. Charity Navigator has also awarded its highest Four Star ranking to TechnoServe.

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