|
The
Agriculture and
Agro-based Industry
Ministry will launch
the National
Aquaculture
Industrial
Development Plan, a
programme which will
have a huge impact
on the country's
fishing industry,
before the end of
the year.
Minister Tan Sri
Muhyiddin Yassin
said the ministry
had identified 39
areas nationwide,
covering 25,000
hectares, including
rivers and land
which could be
developed for
aquaculture.
"We hope to be able
to increase the
country's fish catch
from the present
300,000 tonnes a
year to more than
620,000 tonnes with
an increase in the
value of RM3 billion
to RM6 billion a
year," he told
reporters after
opening the Masjid
Tanah Umno
divisional delegates
meeting here.
Muhyiddin, who is
also an Umno
vice-president, said
the ministry was
currently in the
final stage of
appointing a
consultant from
among the merchant
banks.
He said the selected
merchant bank would
analyze the areas
identified and
produce a prospectus
for each of the
areas, like
information on the
size and location,
soil suitability,
provision of
infrastructure and
type of suitable
aquaculture project.
"The prospectus will
also contain
information on the
financial analysis,
including capital
required and
feasibility
projection, so that
those interested can
apply to participate
in the project," he
added.
He said the tender
for the project
would be advertised,
adding that the
ministry would
choose the companies
or individuals most
capable of carrying
out the project.
He said the project
would be carried out
with the support of
the state
governments which
had agreed to
provide the sites
for the project.
Muhyiddin said the
federal government
had agreed to
provide the
infrastructure,
including roads,
electricity supply
and telephone lines,
which was expected
to cost RM300
million.
"We expected the
private sector to
invest more than
RM1.6 billion," he
added.
He said initiatives
were made for Bank
Pertanian to obtain
funds from other
financial
institutions to be
given as loans for
suitable investors. |
Top
of page.jpg)
