Sunday November 19, 2006 (the star)


Fisheries sector looks promising

KUALA LUMPUR: Fisheries production in the country has increased by 7.1% in the first half of the year.

 Agriculture and Agro-Based Industries Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said fisheries has been identified as one of the fastest growth sectors.

 “For the first six months of this year, the sector produced 730,700 tonnes of fish valued at RM1.99bil,” he said yesterday when launching the inaugural Aquafair exhibition at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

 Muhyiddin said the Government planned to harness the potential of medium and large-scale aquaculture by setting up more production areas and encouraging greater private-sector participation.

 On the ornamental fish industry, he said it was lucrative.

 “I commend the industry for its record exports of RM300.6mil last year, which exceeded the 2010 projection by RM110mil.”

 However, he expressed disappointment that despite being ranked as one of the world's largest producers, Malaysia only managed to capture 7% of the global export market.

 “This shows we lack marketing and promotional programmes and maybe support services.”

 Muhyiddin also said the Aquaculture Industrial Zone programme for ornamental fish was being carried out under priority projects monitored by the Prime Minister's Department.
 

close window