ILO and JICA exchange information on value chain analysis in Belize
The exchange was very meaningful and both the ILO and JICA are working with the Government to identify and complete high potential value chain analysis considering the country’s current investment and potential investment direction.
15 March 2023
On 13 March 2023 at the UN House in Belmopan, ILO’s National Project Officer for Belize and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) consultancy team met to exchange information of value chain analysis which is being conducted in Belize. Collaboration in this area will contribute to achieving Target 8.3 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This value chain analysis should aid in generating income and employment, and support the recovery of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) which were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent economic crisis, with particular emphasis on vulnerable groups such as women, rural poor, youth, and indigenous populations.
Mr. Kenichi Machida and Ms. Mika Kawamoto, JICA consultants, are currently working closely with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Safety, and Enterprise with the three selected value chains while the ILO is working with its constituents with the two selected value chains.
The Government of Belize, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Safety, and Enterprise aims to continue achieving prosperity in agriculture, and as highlighted in the National Agriculture and Food Policy (NAFP) 2015-2030, a greater efforts and investments must be made in the modernization of the Agriculture and Food Sector to become more competitive. MSMEs are key target groups to support to improve employment and livelihoods. The NAFP also highlighted commitments made related to labour issues established in the framework of the ILO.
The exchange was very meaningful and both the ILO and JICA are working with the Government to identify and complete high potential value chain analysis considering the country’s current investment and potential investment direction. ILO is also working with the other two constituents, workers’ and employers’ partners. The value chain analysis that the ILO is undertaking is in accordance with the “Value Chain Development for Decent Work” methodology which considers a holistic and market-based livelihood strategy that seeks to apply the “market systems” approach to the context of employment creation with a focus on vulnerable groups, such as women, rural poor, youth, and indigenous populations. The methodology of the study is composed of six stages and ILO Consultancy Team: Grupo Minerva SRL, has completed four of these six stages. The two sectors identified through the Joint SDG Fund are:
The JICA team, with support from the international and national consultants, is conducting the Value Chain Analysis of three products: 1) Pitahaya (tourism); 2) Coconuts (enhancement of export); and 3) Potatoes (substitution on importation), which is expected to be finished within a year.
The meeting was very engaging and concluded with key next steps including follow-up discussions after the ILO validation mission of the two-value chain study scheduled for April and June 2023 when the JICA Team conducts there next in-country mission.
Mr. Kenichi Machida and Ms. Mika Kawamoto, JICA consultants, are currently working closely with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Safety, and Enterprise with the three selected value chains while the ILO is working with its constituents with the two selected value chains.
The Government of Belize, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Safety, and Enterprise aims to continue achieving prosperity in agriculture, and as highlighted in the National Agriculture and Food Policy (NAFP) 2015-2030, a greater efforts and investments must be made in the modernization of the Agriculture and Food Sector to become more competitive. MSMEs are key target groups to support to improve employment and livelihoods. The NAFP also highlighted commitments made related to labour issues established in the framework of the ILO.
The exchange was very meaningful and both the ILO and JICA are working with the Government to identify and complete high potential value chain analysis considering the country’s current investment and potential investment direction. ILO is also working with the other two constituents, workers’ and employers’ partners. The value chain analysis that the ILO is undertaking is in accordance with the “Value Chain Development for Decent Work” methodology which considers a holistic and market-based livelihood strategy that seeks to apply the “market systems” approach to the context of employment creation with a focus on vulnerable groups, such as women, rural poor, youth, and indigenous populations. The methodology of the study is composed of six stages and ILO Consultancy Team: Grupo Minerva SRL, has completed four of these six stages. The two sectors identified through the Joint SDG Fund are:
- Manufacturing of handcrafted food (dried fruit); and
- Sustainable Tourism which is expected to be completed within the second quarter of 2023.
The JICA team, with support from the international and national consultants, is conducting the Value Chain Analysis of three products: 1) Pitahaya (tourism); 2) Coconuts (enhancement of export); and 3) Potatoes (substitution on importation), which is expected to be finished within a year.
The meeting was very engaging and concluded with key next steps including follow-up discussions after the ILO validation mission of the two-value chain study scheduled for April and June 2023 when the JICA Team conducts there next in-country mission.