Push to buy African
International Development Minister, Gareth Thomas has called on major retailers to use their purchasing power to help developing countries.
Introducing a new £2m fund to enable retailers to join forces with African farmers and encourage investment, Thomas urged retailers to look at their buying habits and the range of quality goods available from developing countries.
Speaking at the first ever ‘Procurement for Development Forum’, set up by DFID to work with industry to help create better life chances, Thomas said,“Buying from developing countries makes clear business sense – not only are you sourcing quality products that compete on price but you are also meeting the increasing consumer thirst to buy ethically.