Dominican Republic to host world chocolate conclave

Santo Domingo.- The Agriculture Ministry on Tuesday announcedthe 3rd annual World Cacao Conference to be held in Bavaro, eastern Altagraciaprovince on May 22, when cacao farmers and chocolate makers from over 40countries will discuss the key issues facing the local and international industry’sproduction and processing.

The event held for the first time in Latin America will gathermore than 1,500 chocolate-makers from the five continents including England,Ecuador and the Ivory Coast.

Agriculture minister Angel Estevez said among the topicsfigure actions to find practical solutions and draft recommendations to improveand implement them.

"The idea is to focus on discussions on targets toimplement the practices to carry out the Cacao Global Agenda (CGA), and recommendationson changes which impact the cacao economy," the official said.

He said a select group of recognized experts in theirrespective fields will moderate the topics, endorsed by the global cacao community.

He said the sessions will be open only to experts andspecial invitees, with some 12 specialists in each one, “based on therecommendations the moderators selected will be consulted with the TechnicalCommittee and the Secretary of the International Cacao Organization to enablefocused discussions.”