UNOPS and KOICA to increase Sri Lankan agriculture export competitiveness

The United Nations Office for Project Services in Sri Lanka (UNOPS) and the Government of Republic of Korea through Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Sri Lanka Office, which is Grant aid division of Korean Embassy in Sri Lanka, announced the development of Plant Quarantine services for Colombo international seaport and airport during a signing ceremony held today in Colombo.

The project aims to enhance the export competitiveness of Sri Lankan agricultural products through the improvement of plant quarantine capacity with KOICA’s fund of US$6,000,000. Among project components, UNOPS will implement construction and equipment procurement part worth of US$1,750,000.

With the support of KOICA and in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, UNOPS will work closely with the National Plant Quarantine Services, the Sri Lanka Ports Authority and the Urban Development Authority among others to bring up Sri Lanka agricultural exports to international standards.

Ms Kang, KOICA Country Director welcomed this renewed partnership with UNOPS: ‘The modernisation of quarantine services to international standards will enable greater access to global competitive agriculture exports and hence ensure greater economic benefits for Sri Lanka’.

This 30-month project worth US$1,750,000 will strengthen plant quarantine capacity, the quality control done by Good Agriculture Practice, support value chain development for agriculture export as well as establish a Plant Quarantine Information Management System.

As part of the Framework Agreement between the Government of Korea and the Government of Sri Lanka Ministry of Agriculture, UNOPS will support this partnership through the construction of resilient infrastructures and procurement of specialized laboratory equipment.

Hanna Singer, UN Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka highlighted the importance of this project in contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals in promoting sustainable agriculture (SDG2), sustainable economic growth (SDG8) and resilient infrastructure to foster innovation (SDG9). ‘The United Nations in Sri Lanka is honored to support the economic growth of the Government of Sri Lanka on its path to achieve sustainable agriculture through resilient infrastructure and innovative technology.’

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For more information please contact: Ms Suranga Mallawa, Project Coordinator, UNOPS Sri Lanka –  Phone: 076 268 66 02/ Email: SurangaM@unops.org

Ms Sara Dhilhani Vais, Project Coordinatoir, KOICA –  Phone: 075 506 18 45 / Email: saradhilhanivais@overseas.koica.go.