stluciatimes, caribbean, caribbeannews, stlucia, saintlucia, stlucianews, saintlucianews, stluciatimesnews, saintluciatimes, stlucianewsonline, saintlucianewsonline, st lucia news online, stlucia news online, loop news, loopnewsbarbados

Export Saint Lucia Signs Contracts To Boost Agricultural Exports

Export Saint Lucia, the country’s premier agency for trade promotion has signed two key contracts which seek to boost the capacity of agricultural stakeholders to supply quality products to new markets under the project “Enhancing the Capacity of Stakeholders in the Agricultural Sector to Supply Quality Products in New Markets.”

The Pack House Project”, as it is known, was launched by Export Saint Lucia in partnership with the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) to elevate the quality standards and post-harvest handling of agricultural products for domestic consumption and export markets.

Recognizing the potential for economic expansion through augmented exports, the project seeks to refurbish community pack house facilities and provide technical assistance to local farmers and agribusinesses.

The overarching goal is to enhance the export competitiveness of Saint Lucian enterprises in international markets.

The first contract was signed with the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (SALCC) for services towards the creation of web-based training modules in Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP).

This elearning platform will increase accessibility to training for producers and exporters across the island. Farmers therefore do not have to leave their farms or travel long distances to benefit from training aimed at improved the quality of food they produce.

The second contract was signed with the Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards (SLBS), who will be the Agency responsible for facilitating the training to farmers and exporters in the identified certification areas.

Through targeted training and capacity building, these two contract arrangements will ensure Saint Lucia’s agricultural exports meet the quality and food safety requirements of international markets.

This will ensure the foods consumed domestically are safe for consumption and also open new opportunities for the country’s fresh produce abroad.

Export Saint Lucia’s CEO, Ms. Sunita Daniel indicated that, “these strategic partnerships will enable our nation’s farmers to meet international standards for trade and gain access to markets which were previously out of reach for them. Additionally, the three community pack houses will gain the required certifications needed to allow entry into new markets.”

Ms. Daniel added that “partnerships with strategic partners are important for ensuring cohesiveness and a reduction in duplication of effort. It is even more vital that in a space where financial resources are scarce, that we maximize the use of existing expertise nationally. This is why the SALCC and the SLBS, both national institutions have been selected as partners on this project.”

Principal of the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College, Dr. Madgerie Jameson- Charles and Dr Xanthe Dubison, Head of Certification of the SLBS signed the contracts on behalf of their institutions.

The project is funded by the Caribbean Development Bank under the 11th cycle of the Special Development Fund.

SOURCE: Export Saint Lucia

Any third-party or user posts, comments, replies, and third-party entries published on the St. Lucia Times website (https://stluciatimes.com) in no way convey the thoughts, sentiments or intents of St. Lucia Times, the author of any said article or post, the website, or the business. St. Lucia Times is not responsible or liable for, and does not endorse, any comments or replies posted by users and third parties, and especially the content therein and whether it is accurate. St. Lucia Times reserves the right to remove, screen, edit, or reinstate content posted by third parties on this website or any other online platform owned by St. Lucia Times (this includes the said user posts, comments, replies, and third-party entries) at our sole discretion for any reason or no reason, and without notice to you, or any user. For example, we may remove a comment or reply if we believe it violates any part of the St. Lucia Criminal Code, particularly section 313 which pertains to the offence of Libel. Except as required by law, we have no obligation to retain or provide you with copies of any content you as a user may post, or any other post or reply made by any third-party on this website or any other online platform owned by St. Lucia Times. All third-parties and users agree that this is a public forum, and we do not guarantee any confidentiality with respect to any content you as a user may post, or any other post or reply made by any third-party on this website. Any posts made and information disclosed by you is at your own risk.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

TRENDING

Subscribe to our St. Lucia Times Newsletter

Get our headlines emailed to you every day.

Share via
Send this to a friend