GCCA’s 2021 Cold Chain Policy Forum included a delegation of seven government officials from WFLO’s new USDA-funded project in the Dominican Republic, Trade Safe (TraSa), implemented by WFLO Partner IESC. The delegation was supported by IESC Director of SPS and Cold Chain Juan Jose Aracena, former ALMATRANS President Salvador Figueroa Sanchez, and GCCA Latin American Director Debbie Corado. Participants attended the Policy Forum and met with various public and private cold chain actors, including the Embassy of the Dominican Republic, Agromovil, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and United Fresh.

After the Forum, the group toured GCCA member Burris Logistics facility in Elkton, Maryland, and DGridEnergy Solar Cool Cubes at Firebird Farm. The delegation also toured the Port of Philadelphia and GCCA member Lineage Logistics facility in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. With each tour, the group had the opportunity to learn about cold chain innovation and best practices and to ask questions to cold chain experts.

This activity also offered a unique opportunity for the hosting facilities. According to Adam Rushby, Vice President of Network Optimization, LATAM at Lineage Logistics, “Meeting with the delegation from the Dominican Republic was important for both sides – for us to learn more about the market, opportunities, and connect with key partners, and for the DR team to gain a better understanding of the potential for cold chain infrastructure in the country, as well as some of the tools and techniques that are available to them. We are very excited to continue this valued partnership as we grow our platform across Central & South America.”

This study tour supported Component 1 for the TraSa program and targeted key government officials from the various ministries and agencies whose regulatory work impacts cold chain. The study tour facilitated deeper understanding of the cold chain and the impact of regulations in food safety to determine opportunities to strengthen the sector in the DR. WFLO will continue to support this project through 2025 to promote cold chain development and trade between the U.S. and the Dominican Republic.

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