Due to the increasing concerns regarding disparities in quality control and inspections standards among ASEAN countries and the ability to export seafood commodities (especially shrimp) to other regions, the ASEAN Sectoral Working Group on Fisheries (ASWGFi) meeting in Lao PDR in May 2003 formed an ASEAN Sectoral Task Force to harmonize quality and inspection standards for shrimp export and imports in the region. As the lead country nominated by the ASWGFi for this issue, Thailand, through the Department of Fisheries, has requested FAO for technical and financial assistance in organizing the first strategic planning workshop of the Task Force.

In response to this request, the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, in collaboration with FAO Fisheries Department, ASEAN Secretariat and the Thai Department of Fisheries organized the "FAO-ASEAN Strategic Planning Workshop on Harmonization of Standards for Shrimp Export-Import" held at the ChaoPhya Park Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand, 4 to 6 November, 2003.

This document contains the report of the workshop as well as selected parts of the presentations made at this workshop. The contents of the report were compiled and edited by Simon Funge- Smith (FAO Regional Office Asia and the Pacific),