“The European Union together with FAO are supporting Zavkhan province in improving and strengthening conditions and capacities for private sector employment creation in the meat, dairy, and vegetables value chains. Enhanced partnerships are a key driver for rural and community development" said the European Union Ambassador to Mongolia H.E. Traian Hristea.

"EU intervention on employment creation really touches on the very core of sustainable economic development. The real challenge in the world today is to create productive and decent employment for people while at the same time investing in sustainable food systems. This is precisely what EU project does and we are happy to be a partner in this endeavour." said the FAO Representative, Mr. Vinod Ahuja.

The European Union Ambassador to Mongolia H.E. Traian Hristea and the Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, Mr. Vinod Ahuja are visiting Zavkhan province to meet local authorities, teachers, students, civil society and beneficiaries of EU-funded projects.

During a meeting with the Governor of Zavkhan, Mr. Batsaikhan Daimaa, they discussed about the Aimag's development priorities and EU-funded and FAO interventions in the aimag. They elaborated on the importance of supporting better employment opportunities and promoting sustainable value chains to target rural development and growth. They highlighted the added value of enhanced partnership between local authorities and civil society to foster inclusive, equitable and sustainable economic growth.

During the visit, the European Union Ambassador to Mongolia and the FAO representative visited also beneficiaries of the EU-funded project Support to Employment creation in Mongolia Component 2: Value Chains (EUR 4.45 million, MNT 13.5 billion). The project enables private sector job creation through targeted interventions to sustainably strengthen specific value chains where Mongolia has potential comparative advantages: meat, dairy, fibre, leather and vegetables. It is implemented in different regions of Mongolia by the FAO and UNIDO.

The European Union Ambassador to Mongolia moreover met with beneficiaries from other EU-funded projects: "Enhancing Civil Society Organisations' contribution to sustainable local economic development and growth of Zavkhan province" implemented by World Vision, "Support to Employment creation in Mongolia Component 1: Labour Policy (SECIM 1)" implemented by Hulla Dynamics, and "Support for Mongolian Economic Diversification through SME Access to Finance" implemented by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).