A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed by the National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (French: ANSM) and Algeria’s National Agency for Pharmaceutical Products (ANPP).
The agreement provides for cooperation, the exchange of expertise and the identification of needs in medicines and training.
The signing ceremony was held as part of a working session which involved Health Minister Ali Mrabet and Algerian Minister of Industry and Pharmaceutical Production Ali Aoun.
The meeting was an opportunity to focus on the various facets of cooperation in structuring pharmaceutical industries.
The two officials explored avenues to build on thev respctive experiences of the two countries in a bid to support joint investments, meet national medicinal product needs and improve opportunities of exportation and foreign investments.
Mrabet said there is willingness to develop the pharmaceutical system in Tunisia, increase investments and give impetus to research and innovation.
It is crucial
to foster a common vision of the future to establish a fruitful cooperation with Algeria, notably with the full establishment of the National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products.
The Algerian minister is leading a delegation on a two-day working visit to Tunisia.
Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse
Kirinyaga County, Kenya – In a significant move to bolster agricultural productivity, Kirinyaga County has embarked on a collaborative project with the Japanese government, aiming to enhance the capabilities of small-scale rice farmers. This initiative, announced during a meeting between the County Deputy Governor David Githanda and Japan’s Ambassador to Kenya, Ken Okaniwa, at Mwea in Kirinyaga County, represents a strategic effort to improve farmers’ incomes through modern farming techniques.
According to Kenya News Agency, valued at Sh13 billion, is set to be executed over a two-year period under the aegis of the Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA). The funds will primarily focus on training extension workers, who in turn will assist farmers in enhancing the quality of their produce and gaining better access to markets. Additionally, the program will support various experimental projects in the county, particularly in regions with the potential to double agricultural output.
During his courtesy visit, Ambassador Okaniwa also inspected the Mwea Rice Irrigation Scheme and evaluated the efficiency of Thiba Dam in supplying water to distant canals. He emphasized the importance of integrating county programs into the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) to ensure effective promotion and implementation of these agricultural projects. Commending the cordial relationship between the County Government and the Japanese Government, Ambassador Okaniwa expressed optimism about exploring new horticultural export markets to further enhance the livelihoods of local farmers.
Deputy Governor David Githanda assured the Japanese delegation of the County Government’s full support. He expressed gratitude for Japan’s commitment to supporting Kirinyaga’s farmers and acknowledged JICA’s ongoing contributions to transformative empowerment programs in the county. Githanda highlighted the significant impact of Thiba Dam, which has expanded rice cultivation to ten thousand acres in previously water-scarce regions.
Senator Kamau Murango, head of the agricultural committee in the Senate, noted that the funding would enable more rice farmers to optimize unused land, particularly upon the completion of permanent water canals. He stressed the project’s broader implications for national food security and job creation, aligning with the Kenya Kwanza government’s key objectives.
The Senator also urged contractors working on the canal projects to expedite their efforts, emphasizing the urgency of these developments for the agricultural sector.