AGCO head joins US Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa

MARTIN Richenhagen, chairman, president and CEO of AGCO, a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of agricultural machinery and solutions, was appointed to President Barrack Obama’s Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa. Through the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, the Advisory Council provides guidance to the president on strengthening commercial engagement between the United States and Africa, with a focus on advancing the President’s Doing Business in Africa Campaign as described in the U.S. Strategy Toward Sub-Saharan Africa of 14 June 2012.

U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker named the 15 business executives appointed to the council during her keynote remarks at the Discover Global Markets: Sub-Saharan Africa Business Forum in Atlanta, Georgia on November 5.

“I’m very proud to have been selected to serve on the President’s Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa,” said Mr Richenhagen. “AGCO has been engaged in Africa for many years now. Our focus areas have been on mechanisation, grain storage, financing solutions and education, which are integral to Africa’s future food security. We have a growing presence on the ground to contribute towards these areas now.”

In Africa, AGCO has invested in manufacturing capabilities in Algeria and in improving distribution and parts support in South Africa. In Zambia, AGCO has launched its first Future Farm to train local farmers and dealers in modern farm practices. AGCO also hosts the annual AGCO Africa Summit to promote international investments in African agriculture.