Technical cooperation agreement signed with White Fish Exporters’ Association

(Quito, January 18, 2007).- The Andean Development Corporation (CAF) and the White Fish Exporters’ Association (ASOEXPEBLA) signed a technical cooperation agreement to strengthen the presence of higher value-added fish products in the European market.

Exports of tuna and processed products represent 4% of total traditional non-oil exports and 55% of the total exportable supply of the fisheries sector. To boost this figure, new technologies in products and processes are being used to generate a range of innovative propositions aimed at facilitating the introduction of differentiated products with higher value added on the European market. With this project, these products are expected to reach 10% of traditional non-oil exports.

The White Fish Exporters Association (ASOEXPEBLA), Eloy Alfaro University and the Service Center for Quality Control (CESECA) will develop ten new exportable products in the precooked line, using traditional and new species as raw material. The project is located in Manabí province where 90% of the Ecuadorian fishing industry is concentrated.

The project consists of three activities:

1. Training human resources in the use of innovative products and processes.
2. Accompaniment in the preparation of product technical specifications, and implementation and execution of production plans.
3. Implementation of new marketing and distribution logistics schemes in the European market.

The new products will be promoted and marketed by defining a business plan, which will develop new marketing and distribution logistics schemes in the European market.

This project is promoted by the CAF Competitiveness Support Program (PAC) whose objective is to strengthen the productivity, competitiveness and sustainable development of economies.