This year’s Mini-Festival will be held over two days from Wednesday 12th October to Thursday 13th October at the Independence Oval in Arawa Town, Central Bougainville.

This year’s theme is “Innovation and Information”.

Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) Minister for Primary Industries, Honorable Geraldine Paul says the Festival has successfully built its reputation as a successful stage to showcase Bougainville’s cocoa potential to the world.

“Over the years, the festival has successfully contributed to increase international exposure of Bougainville’s fine quality cocoa and has seen Bougainville cocoa beans winning awards on the world stage,” she said.

The exposure has also created a demand and marketing opportunity for our farmers to sell our products, especially within the niche market.

“The festival will provide the avenue for our local farmers to gain access to world markets through the participation of international chocolatiers at the festival. It will also be a learning and information sharing experience for both our local cocoa farmers and stakeholders in the commodity and cocoa industries, government partners and our local cottage industry players as well.”

Notable events that will take place over the two days include the Farmer’s Cocoa Seminar, demonstrations by New Zealand based chocolatier and distributor Oonagh Brown, the launch of the Bougainville Cocoa Regulations 2022 and the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing between ABG Department of Primary Industries and the PNG Cocoa Board.

The Festival will also mark the beginning of the Bougainville Cocoa Year 2022 to 2023.

The Bougainville Chocolate Festival is an initiative of the Autonomous Bougainville Government led by the Departments of Primary Industries and Economic Development and in partnership with the governments of Papua New Guinea, Australia and New Zealand.

This year’s chocolate festival is supported by the Australian Government through the Bougainville Partnership, a development initiative between Bougainville and governments of Australia and Papua New Guinea.

Festival update and information will be posted on Facebook/BougainvilleChocolateFestival and the ABG website www.abg.gov.pg

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