Maximizing Agricultural Revenue through Knowledge, Enterprise Development and Trade (MARKET) Project

Jl. Melawai Raya No. 67-68, 3 Floor Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta 12130 Indonesia Tel +62-21-7278-8608 12 November 2013 To: Re: Key Private Sector Representatives of ASEANs Shrimp Industry Invitation to the 1st Steering Committee Meeting for the ASEAN Shrimp Aquaculture Standards Project, 13-14 December 2013, Centre Point Hotel Ploenchit, Bangkok, Thailand
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Dear Sir/Mdm, On behalf of the Maximizing Agricultural Revenue through Knowledge, Enterprise Development, and Trade (MARKET) Project, I am pleased to invite you to the 1st Steering Committee Meeting for the ASEAN Shrimp Aquaculture Standards Project that will be held at the Centre Point Hotel Ploenchit, in Bangkok, Thailand, from 13 to 14 December 2013. The growing movement within major markets in Europe and North America has increasingly influenced a shift in the sourcing of seafood away from sources that have not been verified as responsible. This change is mainly being facilitated by partnerships between environment non-government organizations (ENGOs) and major seafood buyers that have been developed as a result of public pressure from more radical groups. However, a critical gap between the realities facing producers and the sustainability goals identified by the ENGOs and the buyers have been observed in many of the existing standards on the global marketplace. As a major shrimp-producing region, and with the formation of the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015, there is an opportunity for the region to define a shrimp standard that reflects the realities facing producers, while simultaneously meeting all of the key elements of credibility for the definition and management of standards. Building upon the initial discussions with groups of stakeholders in various ASEAN Member States, the meeting will aim to discuss and conclude the necessary details for the formation of the Steering Committee that will lead the development of the ASEAN Shrimp Aquaculture Standard. With regards to the formation of the Steering Committee, the meeting will discuss the following topics: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Process methodology and document 1st draft of the standards Strategy for outreach to buyers Format and location of public meetings Options for the development of the certification scheme and implementation tools for farmers

The meeting is organized by the MARKET Project, a project funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and is part of Feed the Future, the U.S. Governments Global Hunger and Food Security Initiative. Key private sector stakeholders and farmer groups from the shrimp industry in ASEAN are expected to participate in this meeting. To confirm your attendance, please complete and return the attached registration form to Ms. Zhen Yi Ng <zng@nathaninc.org> and Ms. Bellatrix Bogar <bbogar@nathaninc.org> by email, or by fax at +62 21 7278 8609 before 29 November 2013. MARKET is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and is part of Feed the Future, the U.S. Governments Global Hunger and Food Security Initiative.

2 It would be our honor to have you at the meeting and we look forward to receive confirmation from you on your participation. Please feel free to contact Ms. Zhen Yi Ng if you have any further questions. Thank you. Yours Sincerely,

David R. Dyer (Dr.) Chief of Party ASEAN-U.S. MARKET Project

MARKET is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and is part of Feed the Future, the U.S. Governments Global Hunger and Food Security Initiative.