International delegates have highly praised ACI Agrolink's shrimp processing and quality control at a regional workshop organized under the European Union's (EU) 'Better Training for Safer Food' (BTSF) program. After visiting the factory recently, delegates from eight EU and Asian countries praised and mentioned that there is no difference between the European standard processing unit and the ACI Agrolink factory. Along with the international delegates, the event was also attended by senior officials of the Department of Fisheries, Dr. Md. Khaled Kanak, PSO, other district and upazila level fisheries officials and Mr. Syed M Istiak, Business Director of ACI Agrolink.

The third day of the four-day training titled ‘BTSF SPS Non-EU Countries Bangladesh: Regional Workshop on Aquaculture’ organized by the Spanish Association for Standardization (AENOR) and funded by the European Union (EU) was conducted by ACI Agrolink Limited in collaboration with the Department of Fisheries, Bangladesh. The workshop was attended by 45 government representatives from eight countries including Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam and observers from the European Union.

As part of the training, the delegation visited the ACI Shrimp Genetics Nursery and the ACI Agrolink Shrimp Processing Factory. During the visit, they were given a detailed understanding of the overall process of Post Larval (PL) nursing and processing of exportable shrimp as required by the EU.

After visiting the factory and nursery, the participants expressed their satisfaction with the management of ACI and recognized the contribution of ACI in the Shrimp Value Chain. They said that the food safety, quality and biosecurity that ACI is maintaining in PL nursing and shrimp processing is commendable. They also expressed confidence in purchasing ACI Agrolink products at premium prices due to this high quality of the products.

After the visit, Mr. Syed M Istiak asked about the areas of improvement or suggestions, the representative of the European Commission said that ACI Agrolink is already maintaining the highest level of standards and their main goal will be to maintain this continuity. European Union delegation presented the ‘Better Training for Safer Food (BTSF)’ certificate of appreciation for maintaining high standards.