KARACHI, May 19: The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is fielding two international experts in fisheries Dr Michael Dillon and Peter Davison to provide action plans for improvement of fisheries sector. Pakistan faces many challenges in safe production of sea foods, a mandatory requirement for both local supply and access to the European Union (EU) and other international markets, says a press release of UNIDO.

Recently, Pakistan has imposed a voluntary ban on seafood export to the EU until the full implementation of an approved action plan to ensure seafood safety and this ban could affect the country’s economy in the long run. UNIDO is arranging a two-day training workshop on improvement of quality and practices in fisheries sector to be held on May 21 and May 24 at a local hotel in Karachi. The two experts will make presentations on various issues facing fisheries sector in Pakistan.

According to the press release, the EU is also funding a cooperation programme with the government on trade related technical assistance (TRTA) to provide support in building the necessary capacity to address trade related issues thereby fostering its integration into world economy and contributing to poverty alleviation.

The TRTA programme involves strengthening of metrology, standards, testing and quality and conformity assessment infrastructure in Pakistan. UNIDO is upgrading various measures and testing laboratories oriented to export industries for international accreditation to ISO 7025 by providing equipment and training as well as fielding experts to assess, upgrade and conduct accreditation of these laboratories. The programme component would contribute towards enhancement of export focussing on textile, leather, agro-food and fishery sector.