Agri-business Support Fund (ASF) has successfully produced British Retail Consortium (BRC)) professionals in the agribusiness sector of Pakistan. This is a unique initiative, undertaken for the first time in Pakistan, keeping in view the growing demand by the Pakistani exporters of fruits and vegetables to European market, says a statement of the ASF issued here on Friday.
Khalid Khan, Chief Executive of ASF, further informed that under its 'capacity building' programme, ASF has been striving to promote consultancy business in the agribusiness sector and has contributed significantly during the past two years in producing trained professionals in different export certifications throughout the country.
"Realising the growing demand", elaborated Khan "and feeling a dire need to fill the demand and supply gap, two individuals who were already in the advisory/consultancy business were approached and encouraged to participate in the training programmes conducted by BRC in the UK. ASF approved Rs 0.26 million in favour of the two applicants to attend a 'trained-the-trainer' programme and a 'third-party-auditor' programme. In this regard, ASF shared the complete course fee, return airfare, accommodation and other associated expenses with the applicants on matching grant basis. Very recently, both the applicants have returned from the UK after completing the training and passing the exams in distinction". The BRC is the trade association that represents the whole range of UK retailers including large multiples, department stores and independent shops, selling a wide selection of products.
The objective of BRC global standards is to specify safety and quality criteria required being in place within a manufacturing organisation to supply product to UK retailers. Exporters of fruits and vegetables into the European market are now required to acquire BRC certification before shipment of consignments. Khan said "we are very happy to have produced qualified & trained professionals in the market and now it is up to the business community to take full advantage of the locally available professional services at fairly reasonable cost."
He said he was confident that such a unique initiative by ASF would help the exporters of fruits & vegetables to penetrate further into the European market, get better market price and generate considerable foreign exchange for the country.
Agribusiness Support Fund is a not-for-profit company established by the Ministry of Food Agriculture & Livestock (Minfal) and supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) under the Agribusiness Development & Diversification Project (ADDP). ASF extends its support in the shape of matching grants to agribusiness concerns in the horticulture and livestock sectors. While having its office at Lahore, ASF is also represented by the offices of ADDP, located in the four provinces as well as Fata, Fana and the AJK.
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