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ISSUE 4 | OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2023

HIGHLIGHTS

Slide 1
Happy 2024!

The CAPFISH-Capture: Post-harvest Fisheries Development project team wishes you happiness, prosperity, and new successes in 2024 and beyond.

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Slide 2
Cambodia: CAPFISH-Capture Project Received the Gender Equality Mobilization Award 2023

The project team was recognized and awarded the “Gender Mobilization Award” at the UNIDO General Conference for its contribution to advancing gender equality and women empowerment in Cambodia's fisheries sector.

READ MORE
Slide 3
Business Matching in Paris

04 local fishery enterprises attended a business matching event with 02 potential importers of Asian foods in Paris, France.

READ MORE
Slide 4
Training on Food Innovation, Intellectual Property and Post-harvest and Food Processing Technology

A 03-day training was conducted by the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) for the Ministry of Commerce's representatives and FTRIP members.

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Slide 5
16th Cambodian and Import-Export Goods Exhibition 2023

10 local fishery enterprises participated in this exhibition promoting safe and CQS-certified fish and fishery products.

READ MORE
Slide 6
Simplified Step-by-Step Guide for Fish and Shrimp Drying Process in Solar Dryer Dome

A simplified solar drying guidebook, transforming the fish and shrimp drying process has been introduced by the CAPFISH-Capture project.

READ MORE
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NOTICE BOARD

Highlights of Project Achievements

During the period of September 2019 – October 2023, the CAPFISH-Capture: Post-harvest Fisheries Development project has made significant progress and achievements in policy support, private sector upgrading, research and innovation, promotion of gender equality, environmental actions and social inclusion, etc. 

MORE DETAIL

Making Gender Equality a Lived Reality in Industry

During the 20th Session of the UNIDO General Conference 2023, the Agenda 2023, including a gender-specific goal (SDG5) as well as gender equality and empowerment of women as a universal principle mainstreamed throughout all the SDGs, was discussed as a high-level priority of the organization.

MORE DETAIL

2023 World Seafood Congress in Portugal

A Cambodian delegation, led by H.E. Sareth HAS, MAFF Secretary of State, participated in the congress to learn about the recent developments and the best practices in implementing food safety control systems in the fisheries sector.

MORE DETAIL

WHAT'S NEW?

Meeting with the European Union's DG-SANTE

On 26 September 2023, a Cambodian delegation led by H.E. HAS Sareth, MAFF Secretary of State, had a fruitful meeting with representatives from the Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE) of the European Union (EU).

The progress of the collaborative works between the Fisheries Administration and the CAPFISH-Capture project with the strong commitment of the Cambodian government was highlighted, and further direction towards the EU food safety equivalence was discussed for the verification mission of DG SANTE to Cambodia.

Cambodia is now in the preparation stage, and the country is planning to invite the DG-SANTE to verify the implementation of the official control system in the fisheries subsector, which is expected to perform the assessment in late 2024.

It is part of the CAPFISH-Capture project, co-funded by the EU.

Learning Visit to Le Havre Port and HAROPA Port

During their visit to Le Havre Port in France on 02 October 2023, a Cambodian delegation had the opportunity to learn about the current development and future plans of the HAROPA Port, which is the merger between the ports of Le Havre, Rouen, and Paris. The delegation learned how to carry out import controls – documents, product identity, and physical checks – and observed food inspectors from Port Le Havre’s Border Veterinary and Phytosanitary Inspection Service (SIVEP) inspect consignments. The team also visited the SEAFRIGO Company, a renowned European specialist in international freight forwarding and warehousing for food and beverage products. With over 40 years of experience, SEAFRIGO has provided a comprehensive range of integrated freight and logistics services to and from Europe.

The visit was supported by the CAPFISH-Capture project, co-funded by the European Union (EU).

Training Workshop on Gender Equality in Leadership, Monitoring and Evaluation for Improved Fishery Management

On 23-24 October 2023, 10 women-led enterprise owners, supported by the CAPFISH-Capture project, joined the 2-day training workshop on Gender Equality in leadership, Monitoring and Evaluation for improved fishery Management in Siem Reap, organized by the Fisheries Administration (FiA) Technical Working Group on Gender Equality Promotion and Child Labour Elimination (FiA TWG-GCL), in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The training provided networking opportunities and a supportive community that encourages collaboration and mentorship for aspiring women leaders, and equipped the participants with gender-sensitive leadership skills, including communication, decision-making, and inclusive management.

Dissemination Workshop Sharing Updates from Study Visits to Portugal and France

On 07 November 2023, the project hosted a Dissemination Workshop to share necessary information and lessons learned from the study visits to Portugal and France. Government officials led by H.E. Has Sareth and representatives from the private sector optimized the opportunity by exchanging practical experience and engaged in a discussion regarding DG-SANTE verification and export readiness for some potential fish and fishery products. The updated outcomes of the business-to-business (B2B) matching of four enterprises were brought to participants’ attention as well.

The project is co-funded by the European Union (EU).

Career Fair in Agricultural Education at the Royal University of Agriculture

On 08 December 2023, 10 fishery enterprises, supported by the CAPFISH-Capture project, presented their safe and high-quality fish and fishery products at the “Career Fair in Agricultural Education” promoting safe local fish and fishery products and sustainable fisheries and encouraging youth to explore rewarding careers in the post-harvest fishery sector. The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries visited the fisheries booths and appreciated the efforts of the CAPFISH-Capture project.

The project is co-funded by the European Union (EU).

Agriculture Reception "The Green Field"

On 08 December 2023, 18 fishery enterprises, supported by the CAPFISH-Capture project, participated in “The Green Field” event at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) and displayed their products for potential partners, donors, and buyers to promote the Cambodia Quality Seal (CQS) and safe local fish and fishery products. The MAFF Minister and senior leaders visited the fisheries booths and appreciated the efforts of the CAPFISH-Capture project.

The project is co-funded by the European Union (EU).

Strengthening the technical capacity of food inspectors on HACCP application

On 12-14 December 2023, the CAPFISH-Capture project organized a training programme on the HACCP Application for Fishery Processing Enterprises to strengthen the technical capacity of competent authorities to implement food safety control programs effectively and provide assistance and guidance to fish establishments in implementing food safety requirements.

With the increasing demand for safe and quality fishery products, both competent authorities and fish establishments must prioritize food safety. Our program covered topics such as HACCP principles, risk analysis, and also on gender and child labor to ensure compliance with international standards. We’re proud to have had a diverse group of 45 participants, including 15 women, from various stakeholders, and we’re confident that the knowledge and skills gained during the programme will be put to good use. The programme was facilitated by two international food safety experts, Dr. Iddya Karunasagar and Dr. Lahsen Ababouch.

The project is co-funded by the European Union (EU).

Refresher training for CQS auditors

On 04 December 2023, the CAPFISH-Capture project recently organized a refresher training for Cambodia Quality Seal (CQS) auditors. This training aimed to ensure that the auditors remain competent and up-to-date in conducting effective CQS audits. It was followed by shadow audits, providing hands-on experience to 13 newly selected auditors and allowing them to apply their knowledge and skills acquired.

The CQS certification scheme was developed under the CAPFISH-Capture project as a national voluntary food safety certification scheme to promote a safer production of fish and fishery products towards building consumer confidence, market access, and exports while also protecting public health. As of now, the project has developed a pool of 27 CQS auditors, including 7 women, as a sustainability approach of the system beyond the project life.

The project is co-funded by the European Union (EU).

Awarding 15 Research Proposals Under the FTRIP

Empowering the future of food innovation, the Food Technology, Research and Innovation Platform (FTRIP) is gearing up to revolutionize post-harvest fisheries with innovative technologies and research. After its 2nd call for research proposals, FTRIP received 35 proposals from 06 local universities and institutions. Through a competitive process, 15 research proposals were selected for funding support (US$200,000) while already supporting other 08 ongoing research projects (US$150,000). Including the 8 research proposals of the 1st round, the project has so far supported a total of 23 research projects, with 86 student interns, including 60 women.

FTRIP is part of the CAPFISH-Capture project, co-funded by the European Union (EU).

2nd Update on the FTRIP's Research Progress

On 20 November 2023, the 2nd quarterly progress review of the Food Technology, Research, and Innovation Platform (FTRIP)’s 08 research projects was conducted, showcasing their strides in revolutionizing post-harvest fisheries. Stay tuned for the remarkable findings and solutions addressing fishery challenges.

FTRIP is part of the CAPFISH-Capture project, co-funded by the European Union (EU).

DID YOU KNOW?

How is a country listed as an eligible country to export to the European Union (EU)?
To export fish and fishery products to the EU, a country must harmonize its food safety systems with those of the EU. This includes having a Competent Authority (CA) collaborating with relevant government agencies to conduct official controls and ensure product safety from farm to fork. The CA needs the power, structure, and resources to implement the National Residue Monitoring Programme (NRMP), carry out inspections, and enforce hygiene requirements. Legislation should cover requirements for farms, vessels, landing sites, processing establishments, and others to ensure safe production and prevent contamination.
What is a National Residue Monitoring Programme (NRMP)?
The National Residue Monitoring Programme (NRMP) is a risk-based control plan that monitors the presence of veterinary drugs, pesticides, heavy metals, and contaminants in fishery products from aquaculture farms in Cambodia. Its implementation is essential to prevent the introduction of chemical contaminants into the products. This can potentially lead to the development of antimicrobial resistance and other public health issues among consumers.
What are Intellectual Property (IP) Rights?
Intellectual Property (IP) Rights are legal rights given to creators and inventors to protect their inventions and creations for a specific period of time. To encourage innovation and technology transfer in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), the project has assisted four HEIs, who are members of the Food Technology, Research, and Innovation Platform (FTRIP), in developing their own Intellectual Property (IP) policies.
What is Traceability?
Traceability refers to the ability to track and follow food, feed, food-producing animals, or substances intended to be incorporated into food or feed throughout all production, processing, and distribution stages. The Competent Authority (CA) is required to manage and have control over the whole food chain from harvest to export to ensure that food or feed shall be adequately labelled or identified by food business operators (FBOs).

UP-COMING EVENTS

Launch of the Investment Support Facility (ISF) Scheme by May 2024

Announcement of the Value Chain Investment Support (VCIS-FTS2) Awardees

Roadshow by the EU, MAFF and UNIDO High-level Delegations to the Enterprises

Research Finding Dissemination Workshop

Happy 2024!

The CAPFISH-Capture: Post-harvest Fisheries Development project has achieved many milestones contributing to the development of Cambodian post-harvest fisheries by upgrading the regulatory system at the institutional level and promoting the adoption of sustainable industry best practices.

The project is expected to result in improved market access for Cambodian fishery products in the global markets, including the European Union (EU), increased investments in the sector, and overall improved competitiveness, with an ultimate aim to contribute to the economic development of Cambodia.

The project has developed a new publication on “Highlights of Project Achievements”. Learn more about the key achievements of the project so far: More Details

Cambodia: CAPFISH-Capture Project Received the Gender Equality Mobilization Award 2023

The project team was recognized and awarded the “Gender Mobilization Award” at the UNIDO General Conference for its contribution to advancing gender equality and women empowerment in Cambodia’s fisheries sector.

More Details

Business Matching in Paris

From 30 September to 03 October 2023, thanks to the CAPFISH-Capture project, 04 local enterprises, Leang Leng Enterprise, Cambodia Fresh Farm Enterprise, E-Chei Ngov Heng Food Production of Kampot Enterprise, and Confirel Co., Ltd., attended a business matching event with 02 potential importers of Asian foods in Paris, France. The enterprises presented their products to potential business partners and buyers and explored partnership opportunities to export their products to the French market. They also had an opportunity to understand the buyers’ requirements regarding food safety, packaging, and labeling. This event helps prepare the enterprises to be export-ready when Cambodia is listed as an eligible country to export fishery products to the European Union (EU).

The project is co-funded by the EU.

Training on Food Innovation, Intellectual Property and Post-harvest and Food Processing Technology

On 25-27 October 2023, representatives from the Ministry of Commerce (MoC) and the Food Technology, Research and Innovation Platform (FTRIP) members, including the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation (MISTI), the Fisheries Administration (FiA), and 04 local universities, joined 3-day immersive training on Food Innovation, Intellectual Property, and Technology Transfer in Post-harvest and Food Processing to be conducted by the renowned Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) in Thailand.

FTRIP is part of the CAPFISH-Capture project, co-funded by the European Union (EU).

16th Cambodian and Import-Export Goods Exhibition 2023

On 16-18 December 2023, 10 fishery enterprises, supported by the CAPFISH-Capture project, participated in the “16th Cambodian and Import-Export Goods Exhibition 2023” at the Koh Pich Exhibition and Convention Center to champion safe, CQS-certified fish and fishery products for the public’s well-being and promoting local employment in Cambodia.

The project is co-funded by the European Union (EU).

Simplified Step-By-Step Guide for Fish and Shrimp Drying Process in Solar Dryer Dome

The Solar Dryer Dome technology enables processors to dry fish and shrimp in any weather condition and in a clean environment, significantly reducing post-harvest losses and elevating product quality. Recognizing the need to shift from traditional open-sun drying to solar technology, the project is actively promoting the adoption of solar drying among local processors. Through its Value Chain Investment Support (VCIS) intervention, the project has supported 10 fishery enterprises, spreading across 06 provinces, in adopting solar dryer domes, enhancing productivity, and improving hygiene practices to produce high-quality, safe dried fish and shrimp products, positioning them competitively against imported products. To address the knowledge gap in utilizing this new solar drying technology, a Simplified Step-by-Step Guide for Fish and Shrimp Drying Process in a Solar Dryer Dome has been developed in collaboration with key stakeholders. This comprehensive resource has been shared with fishery enterprises and post-harvest fisheries value chain actors, empowering processors to effectively utilize solar drying technology and optimize the quality of dried fishery products.

The Simplified Step-by-Step Guide: More Details

The project is co-funded by the European Union (EU).

2023 World Seafood Congress in Portugal

The Cambodian delegation led by H.E. HAS Sareth, MAFF Secretary of State, participated in the World Seafood Congress in Peniche, Portugal, to learn about the recent developments and the best practices in implementing food safety control systems in the fisheries sector.

The congress provided an opportunity for experts and all relevant parties to discuss how to maximize the production and distribution of fishery and aquaculture products while considering the interests of fishery business operators, supply-chain actors, and, most importantly, consumers.

The official mission showcases MAFF’s commitment and Fisheries Administration (FiA) towards achieving EU food safety compliance for the possible listing of Cambodia as an eligible country to export fish and fishery products to the EU.

It is part of the CAPFISH-Capture project, co-funded by the European Union (EU).