The participation of SUPA project in Vietfish fair 2014 and Vietnam Pangasius Forum

The EU co-funded “Establishing a Sustainable Pangasius Supply Chain in Viet Nam (SUPA)” has being implemented by Vietnam Cleaner Production Centre (VNCPC), along with project’s partners: WWF Vietnam, WWF Austria and Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), aimed to promote sustainable and environmentally friendly Pangasius production in Viet Nam.

From 6th to 8th August 2014, SUPA project has participated in Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition (Vietfish 2014) and its booth broadcast the information regarding activities and outcomes of the project to enterprises in the pangasius supply chain. On the day before, the 5th August, SUPA project also hosted a tour of the pangasius farming area in Ben Tre province and processing facility in Godaco Seafood Company located in My Tho Industrial Park, Tien Giang province. The visitors included European importers, retailers together with representatives for local and international media and ASC certificates. In addition, there was presentation of big importer companies in Brazil, Kazakhstan, etc.

V1The meeting between importer-visitors and the Godaco company  V2Visiting the processing site in Godaco company

During the tour, the importers were highly appreciated the quality and production’s scale in order to meet the standards for exporting. What being observed from this field trip was far from the imagine the importers obtained from the broadcast media in Europe and South America.

 V3Exhibition booth of SUPA project in Vietfish 2014 V4Mr Hoang Thanh (Programme Officer of European Union in Vietnam) and Ms Esther Luiten (Manager Commercial Marketing of ASC), visited the exhibition booth of SUPA project

In this event of Vietfish 2014, SUPA project joined together with VASEP to organize Vietnam Pangasius Forum, titled:” Towards sustainable growth for pangasius in Europe” and its presentations on Vietnam Pangasius market with challenges and difficulties by speakers from Directorate of Fisheries (Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Development), Ministry of Industry and Trade, SUPA project, ANOVA Seafood company (the Netherlands) and ASC certification organization.

V5Speakers at the Forum  V6Representatives at the Forum

The Forum was attended by more than 200 representatives, which included nearly 100 representatives from 80 Pangasius producing and processing companies, representatives for local policy management authorities in Mekong river delta, certification organizations, importers from Europe, South America and North America, etc. At the Forum, there were numerous questions and concerns for importing markets, especially European market as well as necessary standards for importing and exporting.

Through the success of Vietfish fair 2014, SUPA project partners will join together to organize the Annual Forum in order to build a channel of exchange information for producers, importers and experts, policy makers with the aim of a sustainable and prosper Vietnam Pangasius development.

VNCPC admin

VNCPC participated in the 11th Asia Pacific Roundtable for Sustainable Consumption and Production (APRSCP)

11th APRSCP

In light of the current global framework, the 11th APRSCP “Paving the Way for the Future We Want” held in Bangkok, Thailand continued engaging multi-stakeholders in developing and implementing innovative policy solutions, up-scaling technology and knowledge benchmarking, approaches and instruments towards the development and implementation programmes on SCP. This event attracted about 300 participants, including governmental officials, researchers, international and local NGO experts, students and the press.

During the 19th – 20th May 2014 in Bangkok, Thailand, the 11th APRSCP has provided a platform for multi-stakeholders from Asia and the Pacific to come together to:

–          Promote best practices, programs, local initiatives and lessons learned on SCP related projects in the region.

–          Identify synergies and build cooperation to engage actively in the development and implementation of the 10-Year Framework of Programmes (10YFP) on SCP Patterns.

–          Enhance discussions on Paving the Way for the Future We Want in the Region by sharing experiences and lessons learned in scaling up existing and new SCP technologies, strategies, tools and approaches through re4search and information awareness, capacity building, financing, and monitoring and evaluation.

The roundtable has had 2 plenary sessions. The 1st plenary session focused on Public – Private Regional Policies, Initiatives and Cooperation toward SCP and Green Growth where speakers and participants shared regional, national and local best practices, programs, initiatives and lessons learned on SCP related projects in Asia and the Pacific region. The 2nd plenary session discussed SCP Regional Program/Activities particularly the main outcomes and follow up of Rio+20 related to SCP such as identifying synergies and building cooperation to engage actively in the development and implementation of the 10YFP in the region.

11th APRSCP

The roundtable sessions were classified based on 5 priority areas on SCP, including:

–          Roundtable 1: SCP in planning and implementation, covering the following topics: Bringing SCP to the SDGs (sustainable development goals) – for government and international cooperation; The business and poverty eradication cases for SCP; Life-Cycle Thinking and Systems Approach for SCP.

–          Round table 2: Mainstreaming SCP in priority sectors, covering the following topics: Sustainable Agriculture and food systems; Green building design and materials for sustainable cities; Urban Environmental Planning and Resource Management approaches, technologies for Sustainable Cities.

–          Roundtable 3: Sustainable Consumption – Lifestyles and Education, covering the following topics: Sustainable Public Procurement; Harmonization of Standards and Eco-labeling; Sustainable Lifestyle and Education: Supporting Sustainable Consumer Behavior.

–          Roundtable 4: SCP progress – for business and policy makers, covering the following topics: Adoption and Integration of Corporate Sustainable Reporting and Standards in relation to SCP; Eco Innovation: sustainability at the core of the business strategy; SCP Indicators.

–          Roundtable 5: Resource Efficient, Cleaner and Safer Production, covering the following topics: Green Industry, from Policy to Practices; Improving Resource and Energy Efficiency through Supply Chain Management: Lessons Learnt, Opportunities, and Challenges; From “Waste-to-Wealth” to “Upcycle Product Standard”; Cases from RECP.

Two SWITCH-Asia projects, including the SUPA project of which VNCPC is a lead partner and GetGreen Vietnam project of which VNCPC is one of the three partners, participated in the Roundtable. Especially, Mr. Le Xuan Thinh, SUPA coordinator, delivered a presentation on “Establishing a Sustainable Pangasius Supply Chain in Vietnam” in one of the roundtable sessions.

Next to the 11th APRSCP, the SWITCH-Asia Network Facility also held a workshop on “Policy Advocacy for Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems in Asia”. About 20 people from SWITCH-Asia grant projects (including SUPA and GetGreen), the Network Facility, agriculture experts, UNEP Policy Support Component and other interested stakeholders attended this thematic workshop. This was a chance for in-depth discussion on how to improve the projects’ policy advocacy strategies and for identification of country and sector specific agriculture and food priority issues. The workshop went fruitfully and productively, resulted in combining presentations and input for the SWITCH-Asia sustainable agriculture policy brief.

More information about the 11th APRSCP available at: http://www.aprscp.net/11th-APRSCP/index.html

Admin VNCPC

SUPA featured at Europe’s largest seafood trade fair

The annual European Seafood Exposition and Seafood Processing Europe in Brussels is the world’s largest seafood trade fair. Over 100,000 trade visitors including buyers, suppliers, media and other seafood-industry professionals from over 100 countries attended the 2014 fair to meet face to face and do business.

1

The SWITCH-Asia project “Establishing a Sustainable Pangasius Supply Chain in Vietnam” (SUPA) of which VNCPC is a lead partner and other partners as VASEP, WWF-Vietnam, WWF Austria, participated in the Exhibition and was introduced to international organizations, importers and retailers.

2

The SUPA project also sponsored for five Vietnamese enterprises to attend the “European Seafood Exposition and Seafood Processing Europe” for market connection. On the opening day, the Vietnam Seafood Exhibition booth saw the presence of the Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium and Luxembourg, H.E. Pham Sanh Chau and representatives of the Directorate of Fisheries, representatives of Vietnam Television in Europe together with international organizations, importers, media and manufacturers.

3

Delivering the opening presentation, Mr Nguyen Viet Manh, Director of Scientific & Technological and International Cooperation Department from the Directorate of Fisheries (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development), emphasized the importance of fisheries industry to the Vietnamese economic sector structure and committed to the international community toward a sustainable development orientation for Vietnamese seafood, particularly pangasius.

4

After the press briefing/conference, Ambassador Pham Sanh Chau visited the Vietnam Seafood Exhibition booth and was introduced about the SUPA project and the initial achievement in building a sustainable supply chain for its pangasius in the period 2013-2017. The Ambassador acclaimed the cooperative endeavor among the project partners and expected further cooperation among Vietnam and European agencies in order to promote Vietnamese seafood as well as enterprises towards a sustainable and sound environmental production.

Admin VNCPC

Sustainable living space nurtures innovative ideas

A sustainable living space at the Hanoi University of Science and Technology was opened on April 29, aiming to promote sustainable consumption practices in Vietnam.

Khong gian song ben vung4_MOITRUONG.COM.VN.jpg

Sustainable Living Space at Ta Quang Buu Library – Hanoi University of Science and Technology

Tran Van Nhan, Director of the Vietnam Cleaner Production Centre (VNCPC), said that the space is showcasing samples of 2,000 sustainable products that have been developed by Vietnamese and Dutch experts in cooperation with 500 businesses from Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.

_MG_0232

Dr Tran Van Nhan, Director of VNCPC 

Businesses that want to expand their network and boost partnerships in the field can send their products to the space for display, he added.

The space will also offer a platform for people to practice sustainableconsumption under the GetGreen Vietnam project.

Doctor Marcel Crul from the Dutch Delft University of Technology (picture) said that the space will open up opportunities for experts and business people to share ideas, harbouring initiatives on sustainability and innovation.-VNA.

_MG_0253

Source: talkvietnam.com

Impression from The Hybrid Marketplace and Learning Platform “Incubation for Social Investment Readiness”

On the 13th March, Green Credit Trust Fund (GCTF) participated the Hybrid Marketplace and Learning Platform event themed “Incubation for Social Investment Readiness” which was held by Spark, Adelphi and HATCH! Program in Hanoi.

Nearly 80 participants coming from 30 social enterprises (SEs) who is doing inclusive business, startup individuals have met and discussed with participated capacity development services providers and incubators on matching their needs with services offered on the development, scaling or startup process. “This is the first time I join a marketplace. The providers are all helpful, I have gained so much useful information and opportunities. We got a cooperation offer.” – an entrepreneur shared.

At the marketplace, many enterprises have found potential service providers who can give answer to their financial, strategic or legal concerns. This was also the great chance for service providers to promote their services to a wider range of customers, especially SEs. The discussion offered space for service providers to share their thoughts and observations of the market and how to create services for SEs and to make their services more transparent. “People come and discuss with us seriously. I can find the huge demand for incubation services from startup individuals and organizations.” – Le Viet Dat, HATCH! Program Manager said.

Participating in the marketplace, service providers like OCD, NHQuang & Associates who are currently targeting big enterprises, found ideas on how their services can be of value to SEs. From the experimenting marketplace model, the participants made suggestions to develop capacity development market, emphasizing connecting role of organizations like Spark.
1

         Green Credit Trust Fund attended as the service providers of financial supports on SMEs technology innovation projects

2

                      Connection activities between service providers and users at the Marketplace

In the afternoon, the Learning Platform “Incubation for Social Investment Readiness” which originally targeted service providers and business incubators has extended to welcome SEs after acknowledging great inquiry from that side.

Representative from Oxfam Novib has talked about conditions needed to receive investment from their social investment program and highlighted works to be done by SEs to facilitate investment.

Experiences from Adelphi’s capacity development program revealed that services quality evaluation and cooperation on meeting customers’ needs are keys to develop local service providers.

Representative from Uberis Capital, Mr. Cyrille Antignac also emphasized the role of business incubators as one of the vital factors influencing social investors’ decisions on entering certain market.

3

Group discussion

4

                     Mr. Mikael P. Henzler, Adelphi Managing Director presented at the Learning Platform

The discussion session has provided for service providers an insight in the development and future paths of this sector in Vietnam, as well as highlighted special features of service users being SEs instead of ordinary enterprises, advantages and challenges when doing business with them to propose appropriate action plan.

Mrs. Vu Thi Quynh Anh, Spark Executive Director shared: “This event is a real bridge bringing SEs and capacity development service providers closer and a platform where SEs in Vietnam learn from the experiences of investing funds and incubators to improve their investment readiness capacity. With the hope of making this event contribute positively to the development and flourish of SE community in Vietnam as well as incubation service providers for SEs, Spark will continue working with other organizations and initiatives to organize more marketplace and learning platform, conduct trainings and strive to develop this sector.”

Source Spark.com.vn

EU supports funding of sustainable catfish supply chain in Vietnam

 A new project to establishing a sustainable pangasius supply chain in Viet Nam (SUPA) has been launched by the Viet Nam Cleaner Production Centre (VNCPC) and the Viet Nam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).

 The project is worth €2.4 million, of which the European Union finances €1.9 million under the EU SWITCH-Asia Programme. The project is implemented by VNCPC in partnership with VASEP, WWF-Vietnam and WWF- Austria, reports VASEP.

Speaking about the project, Ms Berenice Muraille, Development Counselor of the Delegation of the European Union to Viet Nam said: “The project intends to improve the competitiveness of Viet Nam’s Pangasius industry in the global market. Through this project, EU directly supports the entire Pangasius supply chain from hatcheries, feed producers and processers in Vietnam to traders and end-use customers, including those in the EU which is the largest market for Viet Nam’s pangasius export”.

The four year long project, running from 2013 to 2017, will focus on capacity building, promotion of responsible production to increase product quality, mitigation of environmental impacts and reduction on production costs by applying Resources Efficiency and Cleaner Production methodology, product innovation and market development and promotion.

The project also supports information exchange, techniques for households and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in applying the current sustainable standards as Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC), Global GAP, etc, towards sustainable production aimed to increase the competitiveness of the Pangasius sector in the world market.

“SUPA is one of the supporting projects for Viet Nam’s Pangasius sector, which not only approaches from supply chain viewpoint but also applies “PUSH” and “PULL” methods for activities such as sustainable production and market promotion. It also includes the application of research results into practice,” Dr Tran Van Nhan, Director of VNCPC, emphasised.

It is expected that by the completion of the project, at least 70 per cent of the targeted middle to large Pangasius producing and processing enterprises, together with 30 per cent of the feed producers and small independent production SMEs will be actively engaged in Resources Efficiency and Cleaner Production (RE-CP), and at least 50 per cent of targeted processing SMEs will be provided with sustainable products compliant with the ASC standard to EU and other markets.

TheFishSite News Desk (available at http://the fishsite.com)