Due to its distance from European markets, COLEACP’s demand-driven programmes receive fewer requests from the Pacific region than from Africa and the Caribbean. But the Pacific agri-food and fruit and vegetable sector is a key source of economic opportunities at local and regional levels, and COLEACP has been involved in the region for over 20 years through key partnerships and continuous relationships with the Embassies in Brussels. COLEACP’s EU-funded programmes have been active in the region since the early 2000s, mainly in Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and Vanuatu.
In order to raise awareness of COLEACP and to develop COLEACP activities in the Pacific area, the following activities were organised under FFM and FFM SPS programs :
COLEACP attended the 2nd Pacific Agribusiness Forum in Samoa in 2016, “Linking the Agrifood Sector to Local Markets for Economic Growth and Improved Food and Nutrition Security”.
At the Joint ACP-EU Private Sector Development Information, Knowledge Sharing and Networking event for the Pacific region in December 2019, COLEACP took part in a B2B session for Fijian producers and export companies. The event, organised by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and PIPSO, brings together ACP-EU financing facilities and private sector development programmes on one hand, and ACP private sector stakeholders on the other.
A virtual meeting has allowed the COLEACP to present in March 2021 its programs to companies based in Fdji, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Tuvalu identified as priority islands.
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In Pacific area, COLEACP’s relay is Mrs Mereia Volavola, and as relay, she will help raise awareness about COLEACP and will be involved in the follow-up and implementation of the activities planned by the association and its technical assistance programmes.
In the coming months, COLEACP’s business development strategy will be based on:
- the development of a network of consultants and the reinforcement, if necessary, of their technical and pedagogical skills so as to be able to support the enterprises supported by COLEACP;
- developing relations with national chambers of commerce in order to reach out to their member companies or to help them offer better services to their members;
- continue collective and specific activities with companies.
Our activities
In Pacific area and more specifically from Fiji and Papua New Guinea , the COLEACP has received 7 requests for support from companies and producers associations, 2 requests from consultants, 1 regional private sector association and 1 National Plant Protection Organisation The private sector benefited from a digital “ Business survival bootcamp” that focused on financial forecasting and cost management in an economic slowdown. This activity was organised in the particularly impactful context for the private sector of COVID 19 and the particularly destructive cyclones.
A digital training programme was also offered to companies in the Pacific area. The first topics covered in 2021 were “Food Safety Management ” and “Commercial negotiations”. The next subject covered could be “ Access to market” and will be the opportunity to present the Pacific market study developed by COLEACP Market Intelligence .
For instance , and regarding specific support to private companies, COLEACP is working with Hargy Oil Palms Ltd in Papua New Guinea. The company works with 3,700 small-scale producers of palm oil. Although this crop is not part of COLEACP’s remit, as part of its corporate social responsibility activities in support of better nutrition, Hargy also supervises small-scale vegetable producers. COLEACP works with Hargy to strengthen the skills of its training unit.
COLEACP’s training-of-trainers-of-trainers in Tanzania in June 2019 was attended by experts from Fiji and Papua New Guinea. The 2-week training included both technical apects such as health quality and crop protection, and methods such as interactive training techniques.
Pacific islands have also benefited from general and specific information disseminated about the new EU phytosanitary regulations, based for example on information from the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures in Rome (2019) and side events organised by FAO.
Regarding SPS issues, COLEACP has organised collective digital trainings to which the Biosecurity Agency of Fiji registered some staff. A specific support to this organisation could be provided based on their specific needs. Regional e-meetings for National Plant Protection Organisations (NPPOs) from ACP countries have been organised by COLEACP and Pacific NPPO has been invited to participate.
In 2019 COLEACP was contacted by New Caledonia Chamber of Agriculture to contribute to its Agrinnov initiative, which aims to improve management in the field of plant protection, particularly through the sustainable management of plant protection products and support for the development of organic agriculture.
COLEACP aims to coordinate with existing and potential partners who are active in the region to ensure synergies and multiply impact.
