 Another milestone has been achieved as the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Rural Development and the Taiwan Technical Mission through the 7Crops project, teamed up with Mercy Stores to train 20 Mercy Stores staff in the receiving and dispatch of containers set in a benchmark for food safety on the island. Over a six-week program, participants were equipped with invaluable expertise that will not only uphold but further enhance quality and efficiency. Director at Mercy Stores, Anthony Bristol says this will lead to increased customer confidence in the safety and quality of food products. He expressed gratitude to the Agriculture Ministry and the Taiwan Technical Mission for their support and assistance. For me, this is really an important partnership achievement. This is a partnership achievement between the Taiwanese delegation, the Ministry of Agriculture, the management of Massey, the staff of Massey, most importantly, and all of those people coming together to work together for the betterment of our customers by making sure we have better quality food, better value with the food, more effective stocking of the food, which all is then going to rebound to better performance for our farmers and ultimately a better and stronger farming community and individual homes as well. At the graduation ceremony, each participant received a comprehensive food safety manual specifically tailored for Massey Stores. This manual, crafted by Euphalia Filgent, a distinguished food safety specialist and one of the facilitators under this program, is designed to serve as an indispensable reference guide. Chief of the Taiwan Technical Mission, Daniel Lee explains that these initiatives will assist Massey Stores staff in ensuring that food safety remains a top priority in their daily work, from the moment products arrive in containers to their final dispatch to customers. As we come here today to celebrate the end of this training, I want you to know there is not the end of opportunity for growth for your staff members, just the end of the beginning. I would advise you to continue being committed to learning like you have done for the past weeks in training, because knowledge is power. Taiwan ICDF, through the Taiwan Technical Mission, looking forward to continuing to support you in the future. According to the Deputy Director of Agricultural Services, Kemuel Jebatis, this initiative stands as a shining example of cooperation, setting a remarkable standard for food safety in the Caribbean and beyond. The skills and knowledge acquired in the receiving and dispatching of containers are indispensable in ensuring that the food that we produce and import is handled, stored and distributed with utmost care and adherence to international safety standards. As we move forward, our next focus will be on training for Massey staff under the topic receiving and handling of fresh produce at the buying depots both in the north and south of the island. This will be followed by the final round of training in hazard analysis and critical control points commonly known as HASL, for the Massey Kitchen Food Service. This will be tailored to further enhanced food safety, specifically in the central kitchen for food service. The expertise gained through these programs and interventions will undoubtedly set the benchmark for food safety in our region. The knowledge and skills acquired during your training will play a pivotal role in upholding and further enhancing your reputation for food safety, quality and efficiency. Mr Jabati says these training initiatives cement the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries Food Security and Rural Development's commitment to working with sector partners to strengthen the food security and safety framework within St Lucia. From the Communications Unit of the Ministry of Agriculture, I am Anisia Antoine reporting.