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Turkmenistan strengthens state control over production & marketing of food

Business Materials 29 October 2009 11:30 (UTC +04:00)

Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, Oct. 29 / Trend H.Hasanov /

The Turkmen Food Industry Association has been authorized to issue licenses for food production, which led to strengthening of state control over this area.

The government will use the methods to directly influence on market participants. In addition to licensing issues of standardization, mandatory certification, state supervision and control will also be discussed.

Under the law "On licensing" and Turkmen  President Gurbangulu Berdimuhammedov's resolution on licensing of production and marketing of foods and feeds, the state association may issue permission to produce meat and milk products, oil and fat products, confectionery, beer and soft drinks, provided for the licensing of processing fruits and vegetables.

Neutral Turkmenistan newspaper wrote that the country has many private enterprises engaged in food production. For example, more than 100 enterprises produce meat and dairy products, 70- non-alcoholic drinks and over 60 - confectionery products. Moreover, the number of private producers continues to grow.

So, it was necessary to adjust the activities of business organizations to ensure food safety and further create favorable environment for domestic consumer food market, to improve the quality and competitiveness, to protect the lawful rights and interests of the government, individuals and legal entities," the same source wrote.

When issuing licenses main attention will be paid to the quality of food products and need for creating conditions that could guarantee the safety of food products for human health in the production.

The compulsory licensing of food production will solve the task. This measure should not become onerous for those accustomed to work with the requirements of the industrial standards. Registration of license in the department lasts 30 calendar days and state duties are differentiated by type of activity.

Requirements for the licensed companies have been also increased significantly. The association issues licenses only if there are necessary conditions to produce qualitative products - specialized production facilities and special equipment. The applicants for license must develop and approve a food formula, prepare technological instructions and ensure the sanitary and fire prevention measures.

Introduction of licensing ahs considerably increased the demand for professional training of the specialists. Highly-skilled specialists are one of the terms for licensing. The applicant for license must submit to the licensing department contracts signed with employees to ensure their social protection. A contract to purchase certified raw material and a ban on use of poor-quality supplements should be a guarantee of food safety to human health. Thus license requires from the entrepreneurs careful and thorough preparation for the food production.

The leader of the food industry received these powers not accidentally. During the years of independence, this industry utilized $500 million, built more than 120 new businesses and more than 60 production lines equipped with modern equipment, Neutral Turkmenistan newspaper wrote.

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