Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has announced plans for effective collaboration between Rungis International Market, renowned as the world’s second-largest wholesale food market, and the state government.

Sanwo-Olu disclosed the collaboration during the visit of some Lagos State Government officials to the Rungis International Market in Paris, France, on Thursday, June 20, 2024.

He said the aim of the visit was to establish strategic and technical partnerships essential for the development and operationalisation of the Lagos Food and Logistics Hub.

The governor, according to a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, had robust discussions with some key individuals, including the Chairman and Executive Officer of Semmaris, Stephane Layani; the Director of the International Business Unit, Bertrand Ambrouse; the Head of International Projects at Semmaris-Rungis Market, Timothée Witkowski; and the Chairman of Origin Group, Prince S.J. Samuel.

Speaking about the visit, Governor Sanwo-Olu said: “I had the opportunity to explore the vibrant Rungis International Market in Paris. I was inspired to discover that this market is not just the second-largest wholesale food market in the world but also covers an impressive 232 hectares of land.

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“This visit puts into motion the beginning of a meaningful strategic and technical partnership for the development and operationalisation of our Lagos Food and Logistics Hub project.

“I met with the management team of Rungis International Wholesale Food Market in Paris, France. Our discussions centred around the crucial role markets play in addressing the complexities of modern food systems, as well as exploring potential collaborations for the Lagos Food and Logistics Hub project.

“During the meeting, we were able to establish concrete plans for effective collaboration between Rungis International Market, renowned as the world’s second-largest wholesale food market, and the Lagos State Government.”

He added that the visit was part of efforts being put in place by the Lagos State Government to advance the construction of sub-Saharan Africa’s largest Food Security System and General Logistics Park on a 1.2 million-square metre site in Ketu-Ereyun, Epe.

It would be recalled that Sanwo-Olu, on August 24, 2022, flagged off the construction of the Lagos Food and Logistics Hub project, expected to be the largest Food Security Systems and Central Logistics Park in sub-Saharan Africa when completed.

The Star