How CBI celebrated its 50th anniversary

NetherlandsFish and Seafood, Fresh Fruit and Vegetables, Grains, Pulses and Oilseeds, Natural Food Additives, Natural Ingredients for Cosmetics, Natural Ingredients for Health Products, Processed Fruit and Vegetables and Edible Nuts, Spices and Herbs, Apparel, Home Decoration and Home Textiles, Outsourcing (ITO/BPO), Tourism, Coffee, Cocoa and Cocoa Products

On Tuesday, 11 October, CBI celebrated its 50th anniversary. Partners, ambassadors and CBI connections from around the world attended CBI's hybrid event. The celebration was an excellent opportunity to network and learn. But, more importantly, to pay attention to CBI's past, present and future.

The event took place in Wereldmuseum in Rotterdam, but you could also attend via Livestream. Judith Arends (Managing Director CBI) shared a powerful message on behalf of the CBI team. She pointed out the importance of cherishing a heartfelt desire for your future and praised CBI for its pioneering spirit. For over 50 years, CBI has been coaching SMEs to take the next step and become more resilient and sustainable. "It is about the sparkle in people's eyes when they talk about CBI. It is an organisation that works."

New Era, Next Level

Interesting speakers talked about their long-term partnership with CBI. They took the audience on a journey of CBI's past, present and future. Speakers exchanged knowledge and explored how and where CBI would like to collaborate in the following decades. Important themes from the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were highlighted. These included youth, gender inclusion, fair trade and value chains, and the promotion of decent jobs.

CBI also received a video message from Liesje Schreinemacher, Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Coordination. She applauded CBI for "working tirelessly towards a more sustainable, more equal and more prosperous world." At the same time, she encouraged CBI to deliver more of this work in the future. This means structurally improving the situation in developing countries by making economies more sustainable and diverse. 

Thank you

Ultimately, the event was a thank you to the partners, experts and importers for their help in getting CBI to where it is now. During the inspirational closing of the event, a poem by De Muze van Suze was cited. The poem captures the essence of 50 Years of CBI.

CBI is entering the next chapter, with gender equality and climate awareness central to its approach. The event was an excellent opportunity to learn from the past, look at the present and enter a new era. CBI can only be successful in the future with the help of all its partners.

Could you not attend, and would you still like to experience the event?
Watch the recording.

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