1. The objectives of the Project were to organize pilot production of value-added fishery products relying on transfer of appropriate processing technology and know how; to develop market opportunities, including an assessment of trends in European markets and conducting market trials; and to assess the longer-term investment needs for expansion of fish processing in the region.

2. The Project comprised the following components:

pilot production of high value fishery products and introduction of quality control standards;
development of market opportunities and conduct of marketing trials for the new products;
carrying out techno-economic feasibility studies and assessment of longer-term investment needs and investment promotion; and
project monitoring, supervision and evaluation.

3. Project activities have been completed. A completion report has been submitted and accepted by the Fund.

OPERATIONAL

INFOFISH: EXPORT PROMOTION OF VALUE-ADDED FISHERY PRODUCTS AND THEIR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

4. The objectives of the Project are to demonstrate the technical and financial feasibility of production of value-added fishery products through pilot production using appropriate processing technology and know-how; to develop market opportunities, including assessment of trends in the major markets in Europe, Japan and the United States of America and to conduct market trials; to improve the quality and sustainability of commercial fish processing; to study the feasibility and promotion of the market for the value-added shrimp products identified, and to assess the longer term needs and promote private sector investment for expansion of fish processing in the region.

5. The Project consists of the following components: (a) promotion of exports of value-added fishery products, particularly shrimps from Bangladesh; (b) adaptation and transfer of appropriate technologies for the processing of selected value-added fishery products; (c) promotion of private investment in ventures for the processing and marketing of value-added products; and (d) Project management, supervision, and technology and information dissemination.

6. The Project's execution was completed by 31 December 1999.

INFOPESCA: REHABILITATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE SEAFOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRY IN RIO GRANDE AND MAR DEL PLATA

7. The Project is oriented towards the rehabilitation and development of the traditional industrial seafood sectors located in Rio Grande (South Brazil) and in Mar del Plata (North Eastern Argentina). In both locations the seafood sector is facing rapid changes due to regional development and is suffering from limited market awareness of the opportunities that have emerged through the creation of MERCOSUR and a lack of technical knowledge and expertise needed to develop new products adapted to market expectations.

8. As part of its planned market research and promotion activities for its Member States and with support from FAO, INFOPESCA is undertaking a series of studies on the seafood marketing and distribution systems in the major Latin American cities. This programme includes, among others, the cities of Buenos Aires, Montevideo, São Paolo and Rio de Janeiro, all of which have high consumption potential for seafood produced in Mar del Plata and Rio Grande.

9. The main objectives of the Project are to contribute to the development of Latin American regional emerging seafood markets; provide technical assistance for the development of products with high quality standards in order to be competitive on the international as well as the regional markets; and give assistance to enterprises in the two important industrial fishery ports mentioned above to prepare investment programmes for upgrading their plants. The Project will comprise the following components: (a) Development of value-added products; (b) Assistance in the implementation of quality control systems; (c) Assistance in the preparation of investment programmes for the participating companies; (e) Project co-ordination, supervision and monitoring.

10. The project is expected to be completed by June 2001.

APPROVED

INFOSAMAK: TECHNICAL INFORMATION SERVICES FOR SMALLHOLDER FISHERIES AND PROMOTION OF INTER-REGIONAL TRADE

11. The objective of the Project is to improve fishery sector productivity and expand access to markets. In doing so, the Project would introduce measures for quality enhancement and certification, develop a production and marketing strategy for selected value-added products, assess investment needs and private sector investment, and strengthen the capacities of INFOSAMAK and national institutions involved in quality control and certification.

12. The Project comprises the following components: (a) identification of markets for value-added fishery products, assessment of market requirements and opportunities in intra-regional and inter-regional markets, and market promotion; (b) quality improvements and certification; (c) assessment of investment needs for fish processing, inter-regional fish trade development, and for smallholder fish production including aquaculture development; (d) strengthening the capacity of INFOSAMAK; and (e) Project supervision, monitoring and evaluation.

13. Project duration 36 months.

COMESA AND LAKE VICTORIA FISHERIES ORGANIZATION: PRODUCTION AND MARKETING OF VALUE-ADDED FISHERY PRODUCTS IN EASTERN AND SOUTHERN AFRICA

14. The project aims to develop and promote production of improved processed and value-added products from inland waters (Nile perch and dagaa). Pilot production will be carried out in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Activities would involve, according the different products and species, small scale cottage enterprises many of which are run by women, and more structured industrial processing companies.

15. In order to ensure economic and financial viability of these initiatives, the project would also design and implement, on a pilot scale, specific supporting investment and credit programmes in close co-operation with national and sub-regional financial institutions to ensure sustainable production of value added products and expansion of such activities after project completion.

16. Project duration: 24 months

17. The expected results of the project will include: better utilization of available fish production and landings for human consumption; creation of new export, local and regional markets for new or improved products; improved generation of income and employment from such activities; and improved access to credit and financing facilities for small scale and larger fishery industry enterprises; increased foreign exchange and government revenues from the fisheries sector.

SUMMARY OF PROJECT FUNDING BY SOURCES

Project Funding in US$

PEA and duration	Total	%	CFC	%	Co-financing¹	%
INFOPECHE 32 months	368 550	100	261 450	71	107 100	29
INFOFISH 36 months	609 000	100	357 000	59	252 000	41
INFOSAMAK 36 months	1 233 000	100	425 000	34	808 000	66
INFOPESCA 24 months	960 553	100	649 250	68	311 300	32
COMESA 24 months	544 005	100	378 525	69	165 480	31
Grand Total	3 715 108	100	2 071 228	56	1 643 880	44

¹ Funds or contributions in kind from IFAD, INFOnetwork concerned, participating companies and Project GCP/INT/609/DEN

Item 9 of the Provisional Agenda

COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES

SUB-COMMITTEE ON FISH TRADE

Seventh Session

Bremen, Germany, 22-25 March 2000

DESCRIPTION OF PROJECTS SUPPORTED BY THE COMMON FUND FOR COMMODITIES

Table of Contents

COMPLETED

INFOPECHE: DEVELOPMENT AND PROMOTION OF VALUE-ADDED FISHERY PRODUCTS