Mekong Institute (MI) and the Institute of Standards of Cambodia (ISC) from the Ministry of Industry and Handicraft (MIH) led a Food and Labeling Standards for the Processed Agri-Food training under the PROSAFE project at the ISC Headquarter, Phnom Penh, Cambodia on October 10, 2019.
Representatives from 26 small and medium enterprises in the agri-processing industry were trained on the principles of food safety, food standards and food labelling requirements in pre-packed foods.
Ms. Maria Theresa S. Medialdia, MI’s Director of the Agricultural Development and Commercialization Department, described SMEs in the food processing industry as the “backbone of the country’s economy because they generate jobs and contribute to inclusive economic growth and prosperity of households and communities.”
From the knowledge and skills gained from the training, Ms. Medialdia encouraged participants to meet the requirements of the Cambodian Standard CS085-2018 on Labeling of Good Products for them to better access domestic and regional markets.
Meanwhile, Mr. Nou Thara, ISC Deputy Director General, shared that rising market demand for the food and beverage processing industry expanded economic opportunities for Cambodians. He added that the training was an opportunity for local and newly-formed SMEs to improve their products’ quality, thus increasing competitiveness of commodities with other ASEAN member countries.
Mr. Thara also acknowledged the technical assistance of MI and funding support of the New Zealand Aid Programme under the PROSAFE project in helping build Cambodia’s technological capacities and increase the number of skilled human resources in the food industry.
Four trainers and alumni involved in MI’s Regional Training of Trainers on Food Safety Promotion in July 2018 and Regional Training Program on Packaging and Labeling for the Processed Agri-Food in August 2019 spearheaded the activity as part of their post-training action plan.
For more information about the PROSAFE project and its regional programmes, please visit PROSAFE: PROMOTING SAFE FOOD FOR EVERYONE.
