This contract was an identification mission for an EU funded project to assist in the setting up of a national food authority in Tajikistan. The global objective of the project is to contribute to the effective, efficient and sustainable implementation of the strategies for Private Sector Development of the Republic of Tajikistan. Improvements in the food safety system are deemed necessary to increase exports of locally produced goods and to support the development of SMEs, for which export / import procedures are found to be one of the main regulatory barriers to development.

Specific activities included:

- Desk review of all relevant documentation on food safety in Tajikistan, in particular in relation to import / export issues;

- Fact-finding mission to assess the current food safety system in Tajikistan covering animal health, veterinary public health, import controls, laboratories (microbiological and residue oriented), inspection services etc. Specific issues examined included:

• Capacity of policymakers, analysts, scientists, inspectors, processors and producers

• Capacity of food analysis laboratories and identification of human resource and capital investment requirements;

• Financial capacity to monitor and enforce food safety requirements;

• Surveillance system and early reporting system for food born diseases;

• Coordination between different agencies handling food safety issues;

• Gap analysis of legislation and regulations on standards, health and safety certification requirements;

• Risk assessment capabilities in relation to sanitary measures.

- Consultation with key stakeholders - all Tajik authorities involved in food safety and EC Delegation in Tajikistan - to elaborate details of the programme

Based on this work carried out, the consultant prepared an Action fiche covering services and supplies to be financed by the EU, including logical framework matrix and budget breakdown

Technical assistance in:

• Food safety, in particular setting up national food safety authorities;

• Project identification and formulation

• Preparation of Action Fiche including logical framework matrix and budget breakdown for services and supply components, in line with EU requirements

HCL Consultants provided these services as sub-contractor to HTSPE.