Karachi: International Trade Centre (ITC), a joint agency of the United Nations and World Trade Organization through its 5-year European Union Supported Growth for Rural Advancement and Sustainable Progress (GRASP) project completed a series of seven Training of Trainers (ToTs) on “Slaughterhouse Management and SPS Compliance on 17 September 2021 in Karachi.
At the closing ceremony of the training programSecretary Livestock and Fisheries, Government of Sindh, Aijaz Mahesarsaid the trainings marked the beginning of a new era of enhancing and strengthening public sector capacity in professional performance and execution of duties. He stated that “he believed that unless there is good collaboration between public and private sectors, no coherent, integrated and sustainable progress can be made.
During his speech, Mahesarappreciated GRASP initiatives for enhancing professional capacity of government officials in SPS compliance in Sindh and termedthe collaboration between the Government of Sindh and GRASP project vital for improving professional capacity of especially field staff in ensuring food safety standards and compliances.
While addressing the participants Director GeneralSindh Institute of Animal Health, Nazir Kalhorosaid that ITC in collaboration with the Livestock and Fisheries Department has undertaken several initiatives in Sindh which will ultimately benefit SMEs in Sindh. He emphasised on the need to have active and close coordination between public and private sector to improve the quality and effectiveness of the services at grass roots level. Complying with the SPS regulations and quality standards of slaughtering and processing of meet will enable local entrepreneurs to tap the full business potential of the sector.
Ms. Shabnam Baloch, GRASP Provincial Leadinformed that over 150 master trainers from 14 districts of Sindh have been prepared through seven training sessions across the province.“This capacity building programhas been designed to build the professional capacity of the staff of departments of Livestock and Fisheries, Local Government and Sindh Food Authority’’’
GRASP is supporting the Government of Sindh in not only building professional capacities of the staff of line departments, but also providing technical assistance in regulatory reforms through development and review of various policies, acts and laws etc. The initiatives taken by the project will result in improved quality and delivery of the services andpave the path for further collaboration between public and private sector in Sindh.