The event is one of the first within the programme of the IFC Agribusiness Standards Advisory Program in Europe and Central Asia. The programme is designed for three years and directed at improving competitiveness of food enterprises in Uzbekistan through improving measures on ensuring safety of raw materials and food products at all cycle of processing and production of goods.

It will also help to implement the presidential resolution “On measures on further improving organizational management and development of food industry in Uzbekistan for 2012-2015”.

IFC also held a press briefing to explain journalists on world recognized Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (НАССР) and economic benefits and advantages of introduction of food safety management system, etc.

Olga Sherbina, head of IFC programme in Uzbekistan, said that currently it is mandatory to adhere to HACCP principles both in European Union and Customs Union. All producers should develop, introduce and support food safety management system based on HACCP. If the Uzbek producers want to export their products to Europe, Russia or Kazakhstan, they should introduce food safety management system based on HACCP. He said that the enterprises, which introduced the system, are successfully in the market.

Natalya Gluhova, representatives of AGROMIR Group, said that it is important for Uzbek companies to participate in the training as it helps to improve operations of the enterprise and exchange experience on introduction of food safety management.

Along with educational events, the IFC offers a complex of services on improving food safety management system: from audit of enterprise to readiness of introduction and certification of the standard to introduction of system and certification of international standard (FSSC 22000, IFS, BRC, GlobalGAP and others).

At support of Ministry of Finance of Ausria, consultative programme on food safety helped 80 enterprises in Europe And Central Asia to attract investments for US$160 million and increase sales by US$323 million. The programme also helped to improve efficiency of enterprises, decreases expenses and waste, etc.