Establishment of a sustainable supply chain of smoked fish for export to the EU There are few fish processing companies in Suriname with facilities that qualify to export fresh and frozen fish to the EU. However, there is no smoked fish at present that meets the food safety requirements for export to the EU. In 2007 the EU prohibited imports of smoked fish from Suriname because they didn't comply with the EU standards, in particular the presence of toxic particles on the fish related to burning was estimated to be too high. The challenge is to apply appropriate technology where fire and fish is separated and to work in conformity with EU and HACCP standards. Smoking fish for the EU market will lead to a higher value of fish that is presently sold in local markets at a low price (by-catch). In particular when also MSC standards are introduced for fishing, a price premium can be paid to fishermen.The Dutch applicant Ruisvis B.V. and the local partner Suvveb N.V. intend to set up a joint venture in Commewijne.The partners will establish a modern smoke house for fish that fully complies with EU requirements. (MSC certification of the whole supply chain is not realistic within the time frame of the project but preparations may be included.) Local by-catch (mainly catfish) is now sold very cheap on the local market but through the project a better price is possible for this fish that will be smoked and exported. Consequently, the income of the suppliers will increase. At present, smoked fish is not certified in Suriname for export to the EU (only fresh and frozen fish). The project will be a catalyst in the process of enabling EU certification for smoked fish as well.Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)CSR is anchored in the project through HACCP certification, which arranges for issues like health and safety, human resource policy and transparency.Regarding environment, in particular smoke emissions, they intend to comply with Surinamese law. They do not intend to set up a separate CSR policy for the joint venture.Impact•	Employment and working conditionsAt the end of the project a total of 15 staff (11 basic-level, 4 medium-/high-level) will be fulltime employed. This will increase to a total of 39 employees (32 basic-level, 7 medium-/ high-level) two years after the project.The salaries will be at least 35% higher than average for comparable positions in Suriname in order to keep the highly trained and professional staff. Good working conditions will be described in the HACCP quality manual and a structure will be established to ensure constant monitoring and maintenance of the optimum conditions in conformity with EU standards.•	Innovation/Transfer of knowledgeTraining on work procedures in accordance with HACCP and EU quality standards are new for smoked fish processing in Suriname.•	Chain effectsSetting the step towards EU certification for smoked fish can potentially have a catalysing effect on the fisheries sector as a whole as it may trigger further local and international investments in fish smoking in Suriname.In addition, about 10 local fishermen will earn more money by selling their catfish to Suvveb N.V. for export instead of dumping large volumes of their by-catch on the local market.•	EnvironmentThe smoking process will adhere to all EU safety and environmental standards and HACCP certification.•	Position of womenIt is foreseen that at least 50% of staff will be women within all positions, including production, administration, laboratory and management functions. To export 100 tons of smoked fish (at the end of the first year) from Suriname to the EU market on the basis of an EU certified processing unit.