If you’re part of the agriculture and agribusiness and need assistances then turn towards the European Union.

The EU is looking at approaches of involving the private sector as an implementing agency.

This has been indicated by the Head of the European Union Delegation for Pacific, Ambassador, Andrew Jacobs.

He said they are also looking into other areas such as energy, waste management or the green economy and social sector.

One of the ways to harness this potential is by improving the export capacity within the private sector given the common issues Pacific exporters face.

This is being done through its Increasing Agricultural Commodity Trade (IACT) project.

Ambassador Jacobs said the IACT project was a good example of what could be achieved when cooperation involves the private sector.

By the end of the year, Ambassador Jacobs said the IACT project would have helped a large number of commercial ventures and producer groups in the Pacific.

These groups, he said, have been assisted to become export-oriented and market driven enterprises.

They are also aiming to supply overseas markets with competitive agriculture, forestry, aquaculture and livestock products.

“We actively support enterprises that will help to create meaningful jobs for the people of the Pacific and help improve their livelihoods,” he said.

Some issues highlighted to be faced by Pacific exporters include insecure market access, insufficient product coverage, excessively stringent rules for exporting and poor trade-related infrastructure.

Project sustainability

Under the IACT project, a number of companies have been assisted over the past three years.

But Ambassador Jacobs says these interventions are still fragile and need to be further consolidated and sustained by private sector partners to fully impact on trade and poverty reduction.

“But, we can already attest to the good performance of the programme and of the indirect impacts it has on hundreds of farmers,” he said.

European Union assistance to enterprises:
– Bula Island Food Supplies (Fiji) which exports fresh and frozen vegetables has been provided with equipment, marketing support, hazard Analysis Critical Control Point or HACCP certification.

– Kaiming Argo-Processing Limited has received support for HACCP certification and is now able to export processed ginger to International Markets

– The Crab Company Ltd has received some European Union Support to build their processing facilities which now provides opportunities for coastal populations, especially women.

– A new fruit and vegetable processing facility was built for Maqere Exports Company Ltd meeting the international standards of safety and Quality to be able to export.

– Fijika Natural was supplied with equipment to shred coconuts.

– 69 Northern Bee keepers were equipped with new hives and a new processing centre for honey production which enabled them to triple their production.

Feedback: rachael.nath@fijisun.com.fj