Fresh produce from the Spanish region Murcia could be set for a major promotional boost in key export markets such as the UK over the next three years.

Producer and exporter organisations in Murcia - between them - representing some 20 per cent of Spanish national fresh produce output, have formed a committee with their regional government to agree a way ahead for the promotion of their products.

Fecoam, Apoexpa and Proexport met last week with Murcia’s regional president Ramón Luis Valcárcel to ensure a place for fresh produce at the heart of the region’s 2007-2010 strategic plan.

The new committee will work on improving the commercial structure of the sector in Murcia, opening up new markets and promoting the region’s products overseas. It will also have a role to play in voicing the sector’s concerns with in EU negotiations with third countries. And Valcárcel also gave the go-ahead for businesses to receive direct aid from the region’s promotional fund Instituto Fomento.

And the regional executive’s farm minister Antonio Cerdá underlined the importance of working “shoulder to shoulder” with Fecoam, Apoexpa and Proexport so that exports do not diminish.