Eco-Fair project achieves most of the initial objectives | Business

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The Vietnamese Institute for Rural Industries Research and Development held an online policy dialogue on “Promoting Eco-Fair Supply and Demand Food products“Tuesday. (Photo: vccinews.vn)

Hanoi (VNS / VNA) – Despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, with an adapted and flexible project design, the Eco-Fair project implemented activities and achieved most of the initial objectives.

As part of the project “Promotion of supply and demand of Eco-Fair Agro-food processing products in Vietnam” (Eco-Fair), co-financed by the European Union to the tune of 1.5 million euros via the SWITCH- program EU Asia, Vietnam The Rural Industries Research and Development Institute (VIRI) hosted an online policy dialogue on “Promoting supply and demand for eco-fair agri-food products” on December 21 .

The policy dialogue shared some initial results and impacts of the Eco-Fair project which promotes sustainable consumption and production (SCP) practices in eco-fair agro-food supply chains, which contributes to the development of sustainable livelihoods and a circular economy in Vietnam.

The Eco-Fair project targets micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), consumer groups in the agro-food processing sectors, as well as commercial intermediaries and relevant government authorities.

The project organized online training for nearly 1,000 businesses and cooperatives and over one million consumers, creating a network of sustainable consumption pioneers in the Eco-Fair Green Community Group.

He has conducted rapid assessments and helped companies implement resource efficiency and cleaner production activities.

It has conducted more than 200 surveys, rapid assessments for 174 companies to select 33 companies for in-depth assessment on product innovation and technological innovation; providing direction and solutions for product innovation and enterprise technology.

The project helped 23 companies and cooperatives to conduct a self-assessment and register for eco-fair certification (EU Organic, USDA, Global GAP, FLO, WFTO, TCVN Organic, VietGAP, OCOP), supported in the design packaging, promotion of communication for eco-fair products and coordinated with associations to develop a code of conduct and policy proposals for the industry.

Nguyen Bao Thoa, Director of VIRI, said the Eco-Fair project was born with a mission to change the behavior of organizations and individuals in order to exert positive action on environmental and social change.

“We wish to inspire the values ​​of socio-environmental sustainability through the implementation of project activities such as awareness raising, capacity building, creation of support networks for MSMEs, establishment of codes of conduct sectoral issues on sustainability, advocacy for policies that support these goals, ”she noted.

Koen Duchateau, Head of Cooperation of the EU Delegation to Vietnam, said that for decades the European Union has been a leader in tackling global challenges such as climate change, the environment and the sustainable consumption and production (SCP).

“The European Green Deal, adopted by the EU in December 2019, is the growth agenda for Europe over the coming decades, aimed at promoting circularity in energy-intensive sectors, ensuring more food processing. green and more sustainable, to establish ambitious standards for products, to reduce food loss and waste and to empower consumers in their daily choices of products and services, ”he added.

The Eco-Fair project presents an excellent opportunity for Vietnam to move towards a more sustainable agribusiness sector by engaging value chain stakeholders, including the private sector and consumer groups, and policy makers to achieve the shift. to more sustainable consumption and production, said Duchâteau.

As one of the units accompanying the project in Vietnam, Le Hoang Tai, Deputy Director of the Department of Trade Promotion, Ministry of Industry and Trade, highly appreciated and recognized the efforts and results of the implementation of the project towards the objectives of promoting sustainable production and a market for eco-fair agro-food products in Vietnam.

The project has contributed to prosperity, poverty reduction, improved livelihoods and a shift towards economic circulation and green growth in Vietnam, he added.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade also affirmed that it would support the project in promoting the supply and demand of eco-fair agricultural products, towards sustainable consumption./.


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