Details

Funding

Project Description

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved the original Trade Facilitation: Improved SPS Handling in GMS Trade Project in June 2012. The project aims to strengthen institutional support and develop capacity for SPS handling in Cambodia and the Lao PDR through improved surveillance and monitoring of plant health, animal health, and food safety; the creation of a pool of SPS specialists through better tertiary education in food sciences; and enhanced regional cooperation in SPS handling. Based on the success of the current project in its delivery of outputs, the Government of the Lao PDR requested additional financing to scale up project activities, include additional provinces for support under the project, and commence nationwide rollout of the food safety management system. The project will facilitate greater trade in agriculture, food, and forestry (AFF) products through an increase in focus on improving SPS measures for plant health, animal health, and food safety applicable to key trade requirements of the GMS. The additional financing will scale up activities in the three main outputs: (i) surveillance and inspection for plant health, animal health, and food safety; (ii) enhanced education levels and university training of SPS specialists; and (iii) regional cooperation and harmonization for SPS measures and practices. The project will be implemented by the Lao PDR Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF). The current project's approach and structure remain valid.

Progress (as of March 2021)

Ongoing Effectivity Date: 5 Jan 2018; as of 30 June 2019, physical progress was 45%; project performance rating was on- track. Consultants- mobilization completed. (i) Plant Health: Plant protection center continues conducting survey to update pest lists, collecting plant product samples tested for pesticide residues, conducted surveillance for pest interception to establish of regulated pest/quarantine pest in 24 locations of 12 provinces (at border checkpoints and production sites; (ii) Animal health: training on TAD surveillance conducted for staff from 3 target provinces and action plan for collection of samples developed; (iii) Food safety: Food safety activities are being rolled out in 3 new target provinces.

Contacts

News and Multimedia

Lao PDR Deputy Minister of Finance Thipphakone Chanthavongsa (seated, right) and ADB Country Director for the Lao PDR (seated, left) Yasushi Negishi signed the additional grant agreement in Vientiane. Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Phouangparisak Pravongviengkham (standing, second from right) also attended the signing ceremony.
Source: https://www.adb.org/news/adb-lao-pdr-sign-agreement-enhance-sanitary-phytosanitary-management-systems