Asunción, 15 June 2023. The Investment and Export Network (REDIEX) of the Paraguayan Ministry of Industry and Trade (MIC), with the support of the European Union, organised a high-level seminar to promote dialogue on the importance of sustainability in the meat and leather value chain as a tool to favour international trade.
The seminar took place in the framework of the technical assistance that Component 2 of AL-INVEST Verde is providing to REDIEX for the development of a national leather traceability and certification strategy to increase the competitiveness of Paraguayan products in international markets.
The seminar, which was organised at the MIC headquarters, was attended by actors of the meat and leather chain, such as representatives of the public and private sector, international organisations and civil society.
Diagnostic of the Paraguayan meat and leather value chain
The event was inaugurated by the Minister of Industry and Trade, Luis Castiglioni; the Vice-Minister of REDIEX, Gilda Susana Arréllaga; the President of the National Animal Health and Quality Service, José Carlos Martín Campercholi; and the Head of Cooperation of the European Union in Paraguay, Matteo Sirtori.
From REDIEX, Andrés Ginés, specialist of the Meat and Meat Derivate Platforms, explained the context in which the technical assistance provided by AL-INVEST Verde was defined. For his part, Lorenzo Nalin, AL-INVEST Verde technical specialist, highlighted the conclusions of the diagnosis of the Paraguayan meat and leather value chain, as well as the proposal for a pilot project on traceability and environmental certification for the leather chain and other links involved, designed in the framework of this assistance.
Nalin indicated that, for the elaboration of the diagnosis, the following were carried out interviews with key actors in leather productionfrom the public and private sectors. The information gathered made it possible to analyse different aspects of the Paraguayan Traceability System (SITRAP) and to propose, based on the results, a pilot project for traceability and environmental certification, public and free of charge, which would guarantee the sustainability of Paraguayan products and allow for an improvement in the quality of the products. insertion in international markets.
The event was also attended by representatives of the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, the Vice-Ministry of Economic Relations and Integration, the National Cadastre Service and the Paraguayan Indigenous Institute (INDI). From the private sector, members of the Asociación Rural del Paraguay (ARP), the Central de Cooperativas de Producción (CENCOPROD) and the tanneries Lecom, Sadesa and Durli participated. On behalf of AL-INVEST Verde, Andrea Monaco and Lorenzo Nalin participated, together with consultant Mathew Vercruysse, in charge of technical support to REDIEX.
About AL-INVEST Verde
AL-INVEST Verde is a programme funded by the European Union (EU). Its main objective is to promote sustainable growth and job creation in Latin America by supporting the transition towards a low-carbon, resource-efficient and more circular economy. Through Component 2, led by FIIAPP in consortium with IILAThe programme provides assistance for strengthening public policy and multi-stakeholder dialogues on sustainable agricultural and value chains, environmental and labour standards, as well as sustainable trade and economic policy and regulatory frameworks.
Further information: www.alinvest-verde.eu
