The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, in collaboration with the CAPFish-Capture: Post-Harvest Fisheries Development Project, launched a media roadshow on July 15 at the ministry headquarters. It will run from July 15 to 18.

The event will cover Phnom Penh, Koh Kong, and Preah Sihanouk, under the theme “Local to Global Recognition - Produce Safe Foods, Inspire Success”.

The initiative aims to highlight the significant advancements made by Cambodian fisheries enterprises in enhancing food safety and preparing for international markets.

The CAPFish initiative, which is part of the broader EU-funded “Cambodia Programme for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth in the Fisheries Sector," aims to strengthen the Kingdom’s fisheries sector, with a particular focus on post-harvest fisheries development. 

This project is being implemented by the Fisheries Administration (FiA) and the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), with co-funding from the EU.

Im Rachna, undersecretary of state and spokesperson for the ministry, along with senior FiA officials, is leading the roadshow. 

The event hosts around 66 participants, including officers from the ministry and FiA, as well as representatives of the European Delegation and 21 media agencies.

“We are excited to take journalists to four main locations in Phnom Penh, Koh Kong, and Preah Sihanouk," said Rachna.

“We ask the media to cover true stories about Cambodian fisheries products to promote them to global markets,” she added.

Significant achievements in food safety and competitiveness

The CAPFish-Capture project has achieved considerable progress in several key areas. Notably, the national action plan for fisheries product quality and safety inspection (2020-2024) was established and over 20 inspectors have been trained. 

The work of fishermen is displayed during the media CAPFish roadshow on July 15. Hong Raksmey

Legal frameworks have been fortified, with updates to the Fisheries Law and the introduction of the Cambodia Quality Seal (CQS) certification. 

Additionally, four enterprises have successfully implemented Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) systems, and digital traceability is currently being piloted.

Private sector competitiveness has also seen a boost. The Value Chain Investment Support – Fast-Track Scheme (VCIS-FTS) has benefited 28 enterprises, with 17 achieving CQS certification. 

The project has leveraged significant private sector investment and launched an innovative Investment Support Facility (ISF). Export-oriented support has led to the first dried fish exports to Australia.

Sok Narin, country representative of UNIDO in Cambodia, emphasised the importance of the roadshow.

“The study tour aims to promote further recognition of the fishery products of local enterprises that have received material and technical assistance from joint projects and entry into national and international markets,” he explained.

“More specifically, the tour seeks to demonstrate to the public and stakeholders the potential and possibilities for expanding the Kingdom's fisheries businesses,” he added.

Fostering innovation and research

In the realm of innovation and R&D, the Food Technology, Research, and Innovation Platform (FTRIP) has supported 23 research projects, developed new training modules and is in the process of establishing a packaging centre at the Royal University of Agriculture. 

Ongoing efforts include the creation of the Cambodia Enterprise Innovation Index (CEII) and initiatives for geographical indication (GI) registration.

Opoerations inside a fisheries-product processing plant are displayed during the CAPFish media roadshow at the agriculture ministry headquarters on July 15. Hong Raksmey

“CAPFish is one of the flagship projects funded by the EU and implemented jointly by FiA and UNIDO,” said Shetty Seetharama Thombathu, UNIDO chief technical advisor. 

“We developed a food safety system to comply with global requirements, which includes developing policies, strategies, laws, regulations and standards, as well as coordinating food inspection,” he explained.

Promoting global connectivity and compliance

The roadshow aims to educate the media on food safety concepts and export readiness practices, promote success stories from the CAPFish-Capture project, inform the public about global recognition activities for project-supported enterprises and highlight the benefits of food safety certification through various media channels.

The project has played a pivotal role in the growth and international competitiveness of Cambodia's fisheries sector. 

By focusing on food safety, private sector capacity building and innovation, the project has paved the way for Cambodian fisheries products to gain recognition and acceptance in global markets, thereby inspiring local enterprises to achieve new heights of success.

With a young and dynamic workforce, Cambodia stands poised to leverage these advancements. As Thombathu noted, “With 60 percent of the population under 35 years of age, Cambodia has an advantage over other countries. 

“The government's full support for the private sector has driven the momentum of Cambodia’s economy towards the vision of becoming an upper-middle-income country by 2030 and a high-income country by 2050,” he added.