$110 Million to Boost Exports to the EU

A total of $110 million has been allocated in the 2014/15 Estimates of Expenditure for the European Development Fund (EDF) Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) Capacity Building Project.

The project aims to contribute to facilitating increased and more diversified exports of agricultural and agro-processed products to the European Union (EU) market.

As of February 2014, equipment was procured for laboratories at the Bureau of Standards Jamaica, Veterinary Services Division, Bodles Research Station and the Pesticides Research Laboratory at the University of the West Indies.

Five participants also attended international conferences; four training courses for food safety were conducted; and one food laboratory was upgraded.

For the 2014/15 fiscal year, the project hopes to procure equipment for one laboratory; attain accreditation for four laboratories; train four public officials in food safety and other related standards; participate in six missions to international fora; and organize five events to promote private sector participating in relation to trade policy and related issues.

The project is funded by the European Union and the Government of Jamaica and is expected to be completed by May 2015.