Egypt's National Food Safety Authority (NFSA) and the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have signed a cooperation protocol to strengthen food safety control and trade between the two countries.
The agreement, signed by NFSA Director General Tarek El Houby and FDA Director General Christian Ntomba, aims to strengthen cooperation in areas such as conformity assessment procedures, mutual recognition of regulatory performance and ensuring equivalent implementation of food safety controls.
The protocol also facilitates joint training programs, cooperation in scientific investigations and research, and regular seminars and conferences for the exchange of knowledge and expertise.
In addition, the agreement includes cooperation in risk assessment, inspection, testing and detection of food contaminants in line with international regulations.
It will also help leverage the services each country provides to exporters and importers and study local markets to understand consumer needs and boost trade between the two countries.
A Joint Technical Committee made up of experts from both sides will oversee the implementation of the protocol and meet regularly to discuss progress and address challenges.
The signing ceremony was attended in person by the Democratic Republic of the Congo's Ambassador to Egypt, Kasongo Musinga, and online by Egypt's Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Hesham Abdel Salam.
The agreement is in line with the NFSA's plans to enter into several cooperation agreements with African countries with the aim of achieving integration and consistency of food safety policies and regulatory systems across the continent.
This initiative is in line with the outcomes of the High-Level Forum of African Food Safety Authorities hosted by the NFSA in October 2023.
