VIENNA, 9 February 2021 – As part of the Global Quality and Standards Programme (GQSP) designed to encourage systematic trade development along specific value chains, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) will support Costa Rica in achieving compliance with the European Union regulations and quality standards. A project document concerning the related intervention was signed today by LI Yong, Director General of UNIDO, and the Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to UNIDO. The signing was witnessed by the Permanent Representative of Switzerland to UNIDO.

The two-year intervention has an overall budget of EUR 320,000 and will include activities aimed to enhance traceability, laboratory capacities, and private sector abilities to comply with international quality standards. The main national counterpart is the Ministry of Foreign Trade of Costa Rica (COMEX), while other counterparts include the National Animal Health Service of Costa Rica (SENASA) and the State Phytosanitary Service (SFE).

The long history of cooperation between UNIDO and SECO in providing technical assistance in trade capacity-building to developing countries has led to the formulation of the GQSP with an emphasis on strengthening national quality infrastructures and compliance capacities to support market access. This global programme is being implemented in over 13 countries all over the world.

 For further information, contact:

Bernardo Calzadilla-Sarmiento,

Managing Director, Directorate of Digitalization, Technology and Agri-Business.

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