EU pays Finland to export to China

Finland has been given almost EUR 3 million by the European Union to help finance a project aimed at promoting the export of pork and poultry meat to the Chinese market. Premium products that are widely popular in Chinese cuisine.

The campaign will focus on the safety, traceability and good taste of high-quality pork and poultry meat responsibly produced in the EU and Finland targeting Chinese retail and food service customers in both international and local companies in the four major cities of Beijing, Shanghai, Zhengzhou and Chongqing in China.

Funding applicant Ruokatieto Yhdistys ry, Finnish non-governmental, non-profit inter-trade association that promotes food production and food culture in Finland, will also carry out the project together with its two member companies HKScan, Finnish manufacturer of meat foods and products and Atria, Finnish food industry company, which both currently export pork to China.

HKScan’s Juha Ruohola, EVP, Export, import and meat balance says, “It is great to continue the well-done export promotion work in China with EU funding. Warmest thanks to the partners who contributed to the success of the project. The export promotion support now granted will help us increase the sales and awareness of our products in the very demanding Chinese market.” Atria was the first Finnish company to secure a license for the export of pork products to China in 2017. HKScan and Zhejiang Qinglian Food have since 2018 commercialized, sold and marketed Finnish HK Rypsiporsas (Omega-3 Pork) products in the local market in China through the commercial enterprise Nordic Lotus Food Inc.

Danish funds to SME’s in Myanmar

The Embassy of Denmark in Responsible Business Fund (RBF). apply. Myanmar has since 2017 Responsible Business Fund will To learn more about this opprovided MMK 14.6 billion open a new grant cycle in January portunity, please continue to read worth of grants to over 450 Myanmar 2021 and any Myanmar small and here: https://www.facebook.com/ SMEs to implement responsible medium enterprise (SME) with a FCGRBF business projects through the responsible business concept can

News brief MKI Norway to invests 1.8 USD in edutainment production in Cambodia

The signing ceremony taking place between Dr. Naron of MoEYS and Ms Olsen. 2nd from left is Manu Ranjan of WING. Photo supplied

MK International Investment and Development Co., Ltd. of Norway (MKI Norway) is investing $1.8 million for 3-year educational-entertainment programmes exclusively developed for Cambodia.

Educational entertainment or edutainment is media designed to educate through entertainment and the programmes will help to improve the general knowledge among the Cambodian population aged 12 years old and over with no or limited opportunity for advanced education. The project will be focusing on various topics such as health, nutrition, natural science, technology, economics, finance, medicine, geography and history.

Cambodia’s Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (MoEYS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on their partnership between Minister of MoEYS, Dr. Hang Chuon Naron and Ms. Mary K. Evjen Olson, Founder and Managing Director of MKI Media AS Norway on 29 December.

According to a joint press release, under the MoU, both sides will join hands in developing educational contents, producing and distributing a total of 72 audio visuals in an entertaining form during the next three years, between 2021 and 2023.

“We are pleased to partner with MKI, an expert media content production and investment company to provide our citizens with more diverse video programmes designed for non-stressful and fun learning experiences in various subjects, said Dr Naron at the signing ceremony.

The produced programmes will be available free of charge on various social media platforms such as Facebook and YouTube, in addition to the ministry’s E-Learning Digital TV channel that has already more than 3 million followers.

The Royal Group´s Wing, the leading mobile money and electronic payments service provider in Cambodia headed by Mr. Manu Rajan, is also part of the project as one of the key corporate sponsors.

Source: Khmertimes

News brief H&M reduces plastic waste with new sustainable packaging solutions

H&M Group introduces new sustainable packaging solutions. Photo H&M Group

H&M Group, Swedish intercontinental clothingretail company, introduces new sustainable packaging solutions. At the company’s distribution centers in China, Russia, The Netherlands and Australia millions of packages have already been sent to customers as part of a test for more sustainable packaging solutions.

The new packaging solution is a multi-brand paper packaging system that is reusable and recyclable. H&M Group is motivated to become a fully circular organization with an aim to reduce the risk of creating waste and once the packages are open, the bags are recyclable.

With online shopping increasing worldwide, plastic waste is increasing as well. And due to the pandemic taking over this year, it is safe to say that e-commerce has changed forever. While online orders are increasing as a general global trend, so is the packaging waste. Most of it being plastic that ends up in landfills or in the ocean, having an extremely negative impact on our planet.”

The new packaging solution will also allow group’s brands on the branding label to be more relevant with messaging, while the bags have a cleaner and nicer look.

“We are introducing a type of packaging that is better for both the customer and the environment,” says Hanna Lumikero, service owner and responsible for the new packaging system at H&M Group.

“It has yet to be improved [..] but we are creating a huge impact by replacing the outer plastic with a paper solution. This is a small step on a long journey.”

The new packaging solutions has already been introduced to customers at COS, ARKET, Monki and Weekday and the H&M brand has started to implement it in selected markets. This will reach an ever bigger group of customers all around the world during the upcoming months.

Source: FIBRE2FASHION.COM

Nordic countries are in the lead in the Europe Sustainable Development Report 2020

The Nordics achieved top rankings once again – Finland (1), Sweden (2), Denmark (3), Norway (5), Iceland (11). This time, in the Europe Sustainable Development Report (ESDR) 2020 for meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The ESDR report was prepared by teams of independent experts at the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) and the Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP).

For more details, continue reading here: https://eu-dashboards. sdgindex.org/rankings

News brief Alfa Laval secures order for wastewater treatment in Singapore

The Swedish company Alfa Laval, global provider of specialized products and solutions for heavy industry, heat transfer, centrifugal separation and fluid handling, has secured an order with a value of approximately SEK 75 million to supply decanters to a wastewater treatment plant in Singapore.

The order was booked in the Decanters unit of the Food & Water

Alfa Laval Test & Innovation Centre for Decanters. Photo: AlfaLavalAB Facebook ously not had any electricity aside

Despite the fact that the project is relatively small in scale given Division and delivery is scheduled for 2022. The order contains Alfa Laval decanters which will be used for dewatering and thickening of domestic and industrial sludge in the water reclamation plant.

Nish Patel, President of the Food & Water Division says “We have a broad range of reliable and efficient products for cleaning and treating wastewater. Efficient treatment concentrates the sludge and enables reclamation of clean water for re-use. It is a good solution both for our customers and the environment,”

Alfa Laval’s technologies are dedicated to purifying, refining, and reusing materials, promoting more responsible use of natural resources. They contribute to improved energy efficiency and heat recovery, better water treatment, and reduced emis-

Swedish government funds solar energy project in Cambodia

The Swedish government has provided funding for a pilot project for a solar energy micro grid launched by The Ministry of Mines and Energy and the UN Development Programme (UNDP) in Cambodia.

The solar energy micro grid have been set up in three villages within two communes on a remote island of Kampong Chhnang province’s Boribor district to provide energy for a total of 140 homes and businesses. The villages have previfrom small diesel fuel generators.

sions. that it only provides power to 140 households at a total cost of $30$40,000, the project is a welcome development because it supported the government’s strategy to promote rural electricity in Cambodia. According to an energy ministry report, Cambodia has provided electricity to more than 97 percent of all villages across the country. The ministry had previously announced a goal to provide electricity to 100 per cent of all villages by 2021 or 2022.

Source: Phnom Phen Post A remote island in Kampong Chhnang province where a solar energy micro grid has been installed. Ministry of Mines and Energy – Photo Phnom Penh Post

News brief Finnwatch to ensure human rights for women textile workers in Asia

The corona crisis should be an eye-opener for the entire textile industry, says Finnwatch. Photo: EPA-EFE / All Over Press

Women workers at tion stops. Several stores have been clothing factories in Asia forced to close their doors during are particularly hard company shutdowns and due to rehit during the corona pandemic. duced demand for goods, several reFinnish Finnwatch is now looking tailers have demanded a discounted for a corporate team both at home price or completely inhibited orders. and at EU level to ensure that Christian Viegelahn, an econhuman rights are observed in the omist at the International Labor production chains of the clothing Organization’s ILO office in Thaiindustry in Asia. land confirms in an interview with

The pandemic has had a nega- Swedish Yle that the industry and tive effect on the world economy especially the women in it have been and while consumers may choose to hit hard. He says, “We see signs that shop locally and support domestic the pandemic has led to increased business, millions of women have violence against women.” been affected by the pandemic in Women in the clothing factofactories in Asia, where the majority ries in Asia are also under-repreof our clothing is made. Accord- sented in trade union movements ing to the Customs investigation, as a large number of workers work Vietnam is number six on the list of illegally and a major concern caused countries responsible for the clothes by the crisis is that the proportion of that Finland imports. unpaid work risks increasing.

The textile workers’ employ- Earlier this fall, the Clean ment conditions have never been Clothes Campaign, an international optimal and the industry has long network for workers in the textile had a reputation for poor working industry, reported that textile workconditions, discrimination, violence, ers lost nearly $ 6 billion in wages harassment, gender pay gaps or ab- during the first three months of the solute poverty for the textile work- pandemic. ers with approximately 80% being According to Christian Viegewomen. The textile industry is now, land the key to success now is on top of that, one of the worst dialogue between all parties and affected by the globally economic governments, unions and brands consequences of the pandemic and should now work together for a this means that these women lose change. ILO believes that the recent their job and wages when produc- crisis can be an opportunity for fundamental reforms in the industry. It is about solving structural problems in the business model. Brands could invest in making production chains more resilient, sustainable and people-centered. The industry also needs to do more to improve basic elements such as logistics, communication, electricity supply.

Finnwatch agrees with ILO and states that human rights are not the responsibility of the consumers. The corona crisis should be an eyeopener for the entire industry.

This woman works in a clothing factory in Myanmar, where several clothing factories have had to close due to the corona pandemic. Photo: EPA-EFE / All Over Press

Anu Kultalahti, researcher at Finnwatch says, “The pandemic has led to discoveries regarding weaknesses in the global production chains, and the biggest threat would be that we do not learn anything from this and do not change anything. It is not the consumer’s responsibility to ensure that human rights are observed in the production chains. The responsibility lies with the companies and in the different countries, and could be regulated through international legislation.

The legislation would ensure that all countries are legally bound to comply with human rights, and this could increase transparency in the industry.

Anu Kultalahti says, “The preconditions for such a law are now being investigated by the ministries, and with such an EU proposal is expected to be ready by next year.”

News brief Danish singer Maximillian teams up with Filipino Moira for 2021 update of ‘Beautiful Scars’

The 20 year old Danish rising star Maximilian released a new version of his 2019 viral hit ‘Beautiful Scars” in cooperation with 27 year old Filipino singersongwriter Moira Dela Torre.

The updated version released on New Year’s Day is a duet be-

Three Nordic nations, Denmark, Finland and Norway, are placed well as countries with a robust economic safety in new report ‘The World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report Special Edition 2020’.

The World Economic Forum talks in general terms about the nations it believes have best coped in economic terms with the pandemic.

The newly released report does not include Global Competitiveness Index rankings this year as they were suspended because of the pandemic but the report says “Countries with robust economic safety nets, such as Denmark, Finland, Norway, Austria, Luxembourg and Switzerland, were well placed to tween the two hitmakers and the original song was a smash hit in the Philippines, reaching triple-platinum status there, and with over 45 million streams on Spotify in 2020 alone.

The motivation came from wanting to show appreciation for all the love and support Maximilian resupport those who could not work”.

“Countries with advanced digital economies and digital skills, robust social safety nets, and previous experience dealing with epidemics have better managed the impact of the pandemic on their economies and citizens,” the report says. ceived in 2020 from the Philippines and through MCA Music, Maximilian was introduced to Moira. Maximilian has described Moiras voice as “like one of an angle” and explained “We sent recordings back and forth until we were satisfied with the finished product,” It was super fun! She’s such a sweet person and I’m super stoked we made this collaboration!”

The original song ‘Beautiful Scars’ is about self-love and the updated version is Moira’s first international collaboration. Moira says that it is an honor working with Maximilian and credits her loyal fans for being the reason doors like this

Denmark, Finland and Norway praised for robust economic safety nets during the pandemic

opens up for her. Three Nordic nations placed well in newly released report. Image by Monicore from Pixabay

Finland was also, amongst other countries, placed similarly as a country with a strong financial system that could more easily provide credit to smaller businesses to prevent insolvency. Other countries included Singapore, the US and the United Arab Emirates.

The food truck Kao Thai by Chef Polla brings Thai food to you in Denmark

Pornkanok Kiattichaikorn (Polla) from Thailand has combined her dream of cooking with the desire to meet people with her new food truck ‘Kao Thai by Chef Polla’ that drives around the Triangle Region of Denmark: Kolding – Fredericia – Vejle.

With all the travel restrictions currently in place combined with new Covid-19 restrictions in Denmark, the Danish people can not go anywhere at the moment. Neither to Thailand nor to a restaurant. But Pornkanok Kiattichaikorn who lives in Middelfart in Denmark has a solution that fixes both problems and that can satisfy all craving for exotic food.

As a newly trained chef, Polla and her Danish husband Stig Petersen have invested in a Food Truck from where she serves classic Thai food. Her selection is adapted to Danish taste buds and less spicy than classic Thai food in Thailand, but some customers who are regular travelers to Thailand prefer their food spicy and that is possible too. She serves a variety of meat options, rice and noodles and prices are between DKK 45 to DKK 100. Polla has made a fixed timetable available on her Facebook page, Kao Thai by Chef Polla, to make it easy and convenient for customers to know where ‘Kao Thai by Chef Polla’ will be on what days.

The interest in the local community have been fantastic as some small towns only have one other option for take away food and together with stores and the local customer associations Polla plans her route every 14th day.