Media Update: United Nations Pakistan, 6 May 2024

UNIDO

PRESS RELEASE

UNIDO and JICA Strengthen Meat Testing Lab: PAFAID Project Inaugural Ceremony to Embark on a Journey towards a Food Safety-Compliant Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province

(Peshawar, 2 May 2024) – The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) organized an event to inaugurate the newly equipped Meat Testing Lab of the Livestock & Dairy Development Department (L&DD) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province under the Project for Agri-Food and Agro-industry Development Assistance funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Dr. Amber Ali Khan, Secretary Livestock, Fisheries & Cooperative Department, KP, in his inaugural address, appreciated the support of UNIDO and JICA. He stressed that the cutting-edge technology will enhance the lab's testing capacity, ensuring international standards for food safety. Dr. Amber acknowledged UNIDO’s efforts in improving the meat and livestock sector, marking a significant stride towards a safer and more sustainable future for KP.  He also vowed to work closely with all relevant stakeholders, emphasizing the significance of partnerships in achieving shared objectives.

Dr. Asal Khan, Director General L&DD (Ext) KP, commended UNIDO’s efforts for its contributions in strengthening the Meat Testing Lab and promoting food safety compliance in the province from meat production to consumption. He further lauded the earlier initiative of UNIDO to establish a state-of-the-art meat processing training facility at the Animal Husbandry Inservice Training Institute (AHITI).

Earlier Ms. Nadia Aftab, UNIDO Country Representative, in her opening remarks extended gratitude for the department's commitment and support, which has been instrumental in successfully implementing the project. She also appreciated JICA and the Government of Japan’s generous support without which these achievements would not have been possible. Ms. Nadia also highlighted the common goal of improving food safety and public health and vowed to continue UNIDO’s support to the Government of KP towards Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development.

PAFAID is a four-year JICA-funded project being implemented by UNIDO in close coordination with the Government of Pakistan. It aims at improving pilot applications of compliance capacities and value-addition practices in the cattle meat value chain in KP province and the apple value chain in Balochistan province. For more information, please visit the website www.pafaid.org.

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For more information contact
United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO)
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Email: O.KHAN@unido.org  a.nasimkhan@unido.org