Fish production rises by 11.5 per cent

By Zainab Al Nasseri — MUSCAT: March 27 - During the past five years, fish production has gone up as the growth on an average stood at 11.5 per cent. Figures show that fish exports also increased from 94,000 tonnes to 157,000 tonnes between 2011 and 2016, according to Yaqub al Busaidi, Director-General of Marketing and Fishery Investments at the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. This was revealed at a workshop titled “Basics of participation in exhibitions” held on Monday under auspices of Dr Hamed al Aufi, Under-Secretary of the ministry.

Speaking on the occasion, Al Busaidi said the sector’s development plan endorsed by the Supreme Council for Planning, includes establishing enterprises like Oman Aquaculture Development Company which is now working to establish many other projects. “There is also Wusta Fishing Company which is still under formation, besides a proposal to establish a firm for marketing services,” he added. The contribution of agriculture and fisheries sector to gross domestic product (GDP) reached RO 327 million in 2016, according to National Centre for Statistics and Information.

“Oman exports fish to more than 40 countries as per International Trade Centre data. So, there are many reasons for SME entrepreneurs to discover the potential of this sector, market it and set up added-value projects,” said Saif al Mammari, Acting Director of Exports Development at Ithraa.

Al Mammari said that knowledge of basics and concepts of international trade is a must before starting any exporting activity.