26 March, Kathmandu

During an event held in Kathmandu recently, Ms. Paola Pampaloni, Deputy Managing Director for Asia & Pacific at the European External Action Service (EEAS), presented internationally recognized awards to the recently graduated Coffee Quality Champions. This initiative, aimed at enhancing the caliber of Himalayan Arabica exports, is a pivotal component of the EU's strategy to improve the capabilities of participants in the coffee value chain. Nepal places significant importance on these exports, benefiting from duty-free and quota-free access to European markets under the EU's Everything But Arms (EBA) regulations.

The graduation ceremony featured impressive displays of barista capabilities, latte art, and coffee brewing abilities. Following their training through the EU-funded Trade and Investment Program, these 20 newly certified Quality Champions are now proficient in lean management and quality control methods. Their role will be crucial in educating Nepali enterprises about both domestic and global quality standards, thereby facilitating the export of Nepali goods by ensuring compliance with stringent quality requirements.

During the ceremony, the International Trade Center (ITC) awarded certificates to the graduates as part of the EU-Nepal collaboration. Ms. Paola Pampaloni graced the occasion with her presence, alongside Honorable Veronique Lorenzo, the EU Ambassador to Nepal, and other esteemed guests. Meanwhile, one of the Quality Champions, Ms. Enusha Khadka, CEO of IIQA, in an interview with Online Bahas emphasized her unwavering commitment to excellence in quality assurance and her dedication to driving positive change in the global business landscape. Her relentless pursuit of excellence has not only solidified her position as a leader in the field but has also brought laurels to IIQA, positioning it as a beacon of quality standards on the international stage.