G/SPS/GEN/1634  
 
10 July 2018  
(18-4318) Page: 1/4 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: English  
 
INFORMATI ON ON SPS -RELATED ACTIVITIES O F 
THE INTERNATIONAL TR ADE CENTRE (ITC)  
(MARCH - JUNE 2018)  
The following communication, received on 9 July 2018, is being c irculated at the request of 
the ITC. 
 
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The International Trade Centre is continuing its efforts to assist enterprises to meet technical 
requirements. An update of selected SPS -related activities of interest to the WTO Members is 
provided below.  
1  PROJECTS  
1.1  Afghanistan: Advancing Afghan Trade (August 2 016 – July 2019  / Donor 
Europe an Union)  
1.1.  This project aims to strengthen human and institutional capacities in trade policy, strategy 
formulation and implementation, including quality management and SPS measures.  
1.2.  The Ministry of Commerce and Industry is the main counterpart of this pro ject. Beneficiaries 
include the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Health, National Standards Body and relevant sector 
associations.  
1.3.  A National Export Strategy (NES) document was produced, with public and private sectors 
agreeing on the action plans for  national and sector trade support strategies, including those for 
quality/SPS management and priority sectors (dried fruits and nuts, fresh fruits and vegetables, 
saffron, and non -food items). The NES was officially launched by President Ghani in June in Kabul 
after endorsement by Afghanistan 's High Economic Council. The AAT project and collaboration with 
OIE facilitated by STDF is mentioned in the STDF 2017 annual report 
(http://www.stand ardsfacility.org/annual -report -2017).  
1.4.  Awareness and capacity building activities carried out at various workshops relate to:  
 Strengthening TBT and SPS NEPs and the National Notification Authority (NNA) : A baseline 
of NNA and NEPs collected via four questi onnaires; concept note for a series of video 
seminars and twinning programmes developed jointly with WTO SPS and TBT Secretariats. 
First half -day video conference with WTO organised for 25 participants on 7 May but not 
completed due to internet problems. D iscussion initiated w ith Canada for twinning project;  
 Training Attachment of Food Safety Officials at Food Safety and Standards Authority of 
India (FSSAI) : Concept note developed to sensitize stakeholders on different mechanism of 
food control authorities in different countries. In collaboration with the Food Safety 
Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)  training agenda developed for eight  Afghan high level 
officials on food control and selec tion of participants is ongoing;  
 Piloting value chain activities in the saffron sector : Ongoing follow up with a lead 
processor/buyer in Italy and various service providers and Afghan stakeholders to activate 
partnerships; booklet and database on saffron mandatory, voluntary and buyer 's 
requirements in Indi a, China, Europe an Union under finaliz ation;  G/SPS/GEN/1634  
 
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   Metrology : Three -week training on mass, volume, length an d calibration of metrology for 
three  ANSA laboratory technicians; offsite advisory services ongoing to make parameter 
for metrology operational (1 -18 May 2018, India); fo llow up and advisory service to review 
the law on legal metrology ongoing . 
1.2  Myanmar : Improving food safety and compliance with SPS measures to increase 
export revenues in the oilseeds value chain  (August 2015 – August 2018 - extended till 
January 2019  / STDF 486)  
1.5.  Under this project , implemented in close collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce,  
 A second company obtained third party ISO 22000 certif ication as part of the ongoing f ood 
safety system  implementation in 11 SMEs, under training and coaching of 11 local trainers, 
with more compan ies aiming to achieve the same;  
 Regular monthly training being provid ed to more than 300 Farmers in three  regions to 
implement Good Agricultural Practices by trained trainers; contracts facilitated between 
with buyers and farmers. Safety k its were distributed to farmers;  
 A series of workshops have been conducted to develop a manual on quality control at the 
collection centres.   
 
1.6.  The project 's social media page ( http://www.facebook.com/itcoilseedsmyanmar ) reached 
more than 1200 followers.  The project is featured in the STDF 2017 annual report 
(http://www.standardsfacility.org/annual -report -2017). 
1.3  Sri Lanka: Feasibility study for value addition in the fruit and vegetable sector 
(1 October 2017 - 30 October 2018 / STDF PPG 576)  
1.7.  A Project Preparation Grant (PPG) entitled "Development of feasibility study for value addition 
in the Fruit and vegetable s ector of Sri Lanka" is implemented by ITC in close collaboration with  
the Lanka Fruit and Vegetable Producers, Processors and Exporters Association (LFVPPEA), and 
supported by public and private sector stakeholders.  
1.8.  The purpose of the PPG is to:  
i. carry ou t a feasibility study to evaluate the technical, economic and operational 
feasibility of value addition of five export crops (pineapple, papaya, banana, mango 
and passionfruit); and  
ii. develop a five year strategic plan and a short -term operations plan for t he LFVPPEA.  
1.9.  The study continued with a second mission of an ITC international expert, and will be 
finalised based on the inputs from the study tour to Italy and the discussion with potential 
partners/buyers in the dehydrated fruit value chain. 14 exporter s participated i n the study tour 
in June 2018 ( at their own cost ) and were exposed to inspection, certification, processing, 
packaging, bio production, cooperative structure and links with markets. The development of the 
strategy for LFVPPEA is ongoing wit h analysis of the survey and initial consultation workshops 
among members.  
1.4  Myanmar: Inclusive tourism development with focus on Kayah state (consolidation) 
& Tanintharyi (extension) (NTF IV)  (1 December 2017 – 30 June 2021 / Donor 
Netherlands)  
1.10.   The NTF IV Myanmar project is part of the Netherlands Trust Fund IV /NTF IV programme. 
The purpose of the fourth Netherlands Trust Fund Programme (NTF IV) is to increase the 
competitiveness of producers and exporters in selected sectors within priority developing 
countries. NTF IV Myanmar builds on the results of "NTF III Myanmar - Inclusive Tourism focusing 
on Kayah state " by expanding tourism product development to an additional state of Myanmar 
(Tanintharyi) and further consolidating the achieved results at nationa l and Kayah state level.  
1.11.   The Intermediate Outcome three  aims at increasing the competitiveness of SME owners and 
local providers of tourism products and services. The project will consolidate the results achieved 
in Kayah state under NTF  III and develop on e new destination (Tanintharyi). The quality of G/SPS/GEN/1634  
 
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  services (e.g. local communities, local and regional guides, ground -handlers, hotels, restaurants) 
will be enhanced in both states with particular focus on food quality and  safety. Five trainers -
cum-counsello rs previously trained under NTF  III on hygiene are now coaching operators and 
sensitizing on food safety. Videos are available on the project 's Facebook  page (Myanmar inclusive 
tourism project with special focus on Kayah State (ITC).  
1.5  Tajikistan: Enabling market access for agricultural products through improved food 
safety system (STDF)  (March 2018 – 2021 - STDF PG/447)  
1.12.   The project aims to improve the export competitiveness of Tajik Small and Medium -Sized 
enterprises and food safety through better use of agri-chemicals and veterinary medicines with 
focus on apricots and honey sector.  
1.13.   Through an Agreement being finalized, ITC is partnering with FAO for the implementation of 
activities in particular related to output 1 "Regulatory and control system for use of agri -chemicals 
and veterinary medicines established and operational ". The fir st activity under development is the 
implementation of the baseline collection in conjunction with collection of data related to 
laboratories and access to finance.  
1.6  The Gambia:  Youth Empowerment Project (YEP) (January 2017 – December 2020 / 
Donor E uropean Union) 
1.14.   To generate employment among youth, ITC is supporting improved compliance of Gambian 
products to international standards and market requirements, including in the food a nd agriculture 
sectors. Following training of 20 youth trainers on Food Safety and Good Hygienic Practices  (GHP), 
further training on Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points is being conducted, with the 
participation of enterprises. Company visits have  been organized to carry out on -site training and 
diagnostic assessments.  It is intended that the trainers pilot HACCP and GHP with enterprises.  
1.7  Sudan: WTO Accession  (March 2018 - February 2019/ Donor Japan)  
1.15.   In support of the accession of Sudan to the WTO , ITC is helping the operationalization of 
designated National Notification Authority and National Enquiry Point for SPS through development 
of operating procedures and guidance to apply the procedures.  Help to formalize a national 
SPS coordination committ ee will also be provided.  
1.8  Support to the Facilitation of Trade between CEFTA Parties (January 2017 – 
December 2019/ Donor E uropean Union) 
1.16.   ITC supports the parties of the Central European Free Trade Area (CEFTA) to increase trade 
and competitiveness in the  region. With the aim to reduce and eventually remove the most 
distortive non -tariff measures for priority products, of particular economic relevance for the region, 
ITC has carried out an in -depth diagnostic study of all CEFTA parties in order to understa nd 
quality -related barriers and challenges to trade in the region. In April/May 2018 , ITC has identified 
and analysed standards, technical regulations and TBT/SPS measures applicable to various 
vegetable value chains in all CEFTA parties. Follow -up measure s are currently under scrutiny.   
1.9  Burundi Market Access Upgrade Programme (MARKUP)  (July 2018 – June 2022/ 
Donor E uropean Union) 
1.17.   ITC will be implementing a new project to enhance quality infrastructure services to support 
compliance with SPS measures and technical regulations in Burundi, with particular focus on coffee 
and tea sectors. The project will focus on strengthening the national quality infrastructure 
framework, inspection and certification services, and qua lity-related extension services ; improvi ng 
laboratory testing capacities for coffee/tea.  
1.18.   The project launch mission is scheduled for September 2018 and will include assessment 
and stock -taking of current developments in the national quality infrastructure.   G/SPS/GEN/1634  
 
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  For more information, please contact:  
 
Ludovica Ghizzoni, ITC Adviser on Export Quality Management  
Tel: +41 22 730 06 38 - Fax: +41 22 730 05 76 - E-mail: ghizzoni@intracen.org  
 
Khemraj Ramful, ITC Senior Adviser on Export Quality Management  
Tel: +41 22 730 04 87  - Fax: +41 22 730 05 76 - E-mail: ramful@intracen.org  
 
ITC Export Quality Management  
Website: http://www.intracen.org/eqm  
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ITCstandards  
 
 
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