TİKA Supports a Fish Processing Plant in Colombia

Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) equipped a fish processing plant in the municipality of Santander de Quilichao in Cauca Department in cooperation with the Agency for Reincorporation and Normalization of Colombia (ARN).

TİKA implemented this project in cooperation with Emilio Archila, Presidential Counselor for Stabilization and Consolidation of the Republic of Colombia, who strives to ensure the establishment of peace, social integration, and normalization in Colombia and help those who were affected by internal conflicts to participate in the economy. As part of the project, TİKA provided fish processing and packaging equipment and storage units for the plant established for fish farming and processing in Santander de Quilichao, one of the regions that were most affected by the internal conflicts that have been ongoing for more than half a century.

It was aimed to boost economic activities in the region, create sustainable livelihood opportunities for local people, and promote the return to normal life thanks to the equipment provided by TİKA.

In his statement, Andrés Stapper, Director General of the Agency for Reincorporation and Normalization (ARN), said, “This project enables those who were affected by internal conflicts to participate in the economy and secure their livelihoods in the long term. Thanks to the project, tilapia, which is raised in the department, will be commercialized. This initiative contributes to peacebuilding through the legal process in Colombia.”

Claudia Patricia, one of the beneficiaries of the project, expressed her gratitude for the project, which will strengthen production processes, and said, “Turkey’s support for us is important as it accelerates and strengthens a project we have been working on for a long time. Previously, we were working mostly with our hands without using technology. We will fillet and vacuum seal fish in order to increase the added value of our product and earn higher profit. We will also be able to export these products. We would like to thank you for supporting families living in our region and believing in a stable and lasting peace.”