Developing trade to meet the millennium goals - The example of the PIP cooperation programme - Brussels, 13 November 2008
For the first time, the COLEACP/PIP programme is participating in the European Development Days (EDD) – the European forum for decision-makers and practitioners in development cooperation, which will take place at the Palais des Congrès in Strasbourg (France) between 15 and 18 November.
The PIP is a European cooperation programme financed by the European Development Fund,which aims to enable ACP companies to comply with European food safety and traceability requirements and to consolidate the position of small-scale producers in the ACP horticultural export industry.
COLEACP, the body entrusted with management of the PIP by the European Commission and the ACP group of States, is an interprofessional association of exporters from Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific, and European importers, who work together to promote sustainable horticultural trade between the ACP and the European Union.
PIP was launched in 2001 as a matter of urgency at a time when ACP countries were in danger of being excluded from the European horticultural market due to a change in EU Regulations. Eight years later, the PIP is operating in 28 ACP States and covering 80% of the ACP horticultural export sector. The programme supports some 100,000 small family businesses.
Although the PIP has achieved its objectives and obtained concrete results, there are new challenges to be addressed such as meeting environmental and ethical trade, standards, that ACP suppliers will need to meet if they are to continue operating in the European market.
Often referred to the European Commission as a cooperation success story, and recently cited by the WTO as an example of good practice in technical cooperation, the PIP has been invited to one of the most popular “side” events of the EDD: the “Business of Development” workshop. This considers the private sector and development, and will take place on Monday 17 November between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the EDD site (Schuman room).
For the PIP and COLEACP this is an opportunity to share their experiences, and to present the factors that make this such a successful development cooperation programme. These factors include the establishment of the programme within an association of ACP horticultural companies, as well as the efforts to facilitate dialogue between the private and public sectors.
The PIP team attending the EDD will be delighted to welcome you to their stand (No. 27, “Arp” Area) and to show you the mobile photographic exhibition: 'Together for a Sustainable Horticultural Trade'.
