The objective of the workshop was to present and discuss the findings of the analytical work carried out under the project, and the recommendations from the subregional workshops organized in the Pacific (Suva, Fiji, 7-8 June 2006) subregional workshops organized in the Pacific (Suva, Fiji, 7-8 June 2006) , South-East and North-East Asia (Jakarta, Indonesia, 26-27 July 2006) and South Asia (Colombo, Sri Lanka, 6-7 September 2006).

The workshop discussed the key issues identified with a view to providing consolidated recommendations for: (a) government policy to improve (i) export competitiveness of SMEs in the food and food processing industry on the basis of conformity with international environmental/health standards and (ii) to improve environmental sustainability of food and processed food production, including importation of intermediate and input products for this industry; (b) private sector organizations and SMEs in these two areas (reference could be made in this context to the role of public-private partnerships); (c) regional cooperation mechanisms and modalities in these two areas; and (d) international agencies like ESCAP to improve technical assistance in these areas.

The workshop was organized back-to-back with the UNCTAD Workshop on "Maximizing the Contribution of Organic Agriculture to Achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in the Asia- Pacific Region" from 18 to 19 October 2006". More information about this meeting can be found on the UNCTAD website at: < http://www.unctad.org/trade_env/index.htm >