For information only - not an official document
UNIS/OUS/299
26 August 2015
Re-issued as received
VIENNA, 25 August (United Nations Industrial Development Organization) - The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) will combine their technical and financial resources to help improve the productivity and competitiveness of the shrimp value chain in Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico and Nicaragua, and enhance regional cooperation in the field.
OFID is supporting the project worth close to USD 900,000 with a USD 300,000 grant. The grant agreement was signed in Vienna today by UNIDO Director General, LI Yong, and OFID Director General, Suleiman Jasir Al-Herbish.
Director General Li said that "for Latin American countries such as Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico and Nicaragua the shrimp farming sector represents an important source of income. However, in most of these countries there is a need to enhance the productivity and competitiveness of the sector and its compliance with international quality and environmental standards."
Al-Herbish added that the project "will support the sustainable development of the fisheries sector in the Latin American and Caribbean region through the promotion of more resource efficient, environment friendly and socially equitable fish farming and processing practices. It will also contribute to poverty reduction efforts through the creation of direct and indirect employment and income generation opportunities, as well as improved food and nutrition security."
Aquaculture, especially shrimp farming, has been a vital source of economic growth in developing countries. Shrimp farming represents 15 per cent of the total value of the fishery products internationally traded in 2011. Ecuador and Mexico are currently among the largest producers in the sector at regional level.
The new project will benefit actors in the various segments of the shrimp value chain in all participating countries, particularly small shrimp farmers, shrimp cultivating companies, input and feed providers, processors, transporters and marketers contributing to value chain-based competitiveness and enhanced productivity.
It will also help foster public-private partnerships and improve the linkages of local businesses to national, regional and global markets.
* *** *
For more information, please contact:
Carlos
Chanduvi Suárez
Chief of Latin America and the Caribbean Bureau, UNIDO
Email: C.CHANDUVI-SUAREZ[at]unido.org
