MUSCAT: The six-week long fisheries labs, organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries in cooperation with the Implementation Support and Follow up Unit as part of the Sultanate’s economic diversification plan ‘Tanfeedh’ concluded at the theatre of the Ministry of Tourism in
Al Khuwair on Thursday under the auspices of Sayyid Saud bin Hilal al Busaidy, Minister of State and Governor of Muscat, in the presence of a number of members of the State Council, members of Majlis Ash’shura, local officials and 100 participants representing public and private organisations.
Dr Fuad bin Jaafar al Sajwani, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, said the labs managed to diagnose the challenges and propose the proper solutions that accelerate the growth of this vital sector. He added that while some necessary decisions have been made during the lab sessions, road maps and timetables for implementing the other decisions were made.
He pointed out that the Sultanate produced more than 280,000 tonnes of fish during 2016; a growth by 76 per cent compared to 2011. The value of the production stood at about RO 255 million; a growth by 66 per cent compared to 2011.
The Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries pointed out that the lab works have been crowned with announcing more than 70 initiatives that cost about RO 1 billion. These initiatives will add about RO 543 million to the GDP and will create 8,000 jobs for Omanis by the end of 2023.
On his part, Dr Hamad bin Said al Oufi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, made a presentation at which he pointed out that the projects are expected to contribute about RO 556 to the GDP, thus doubling the contribution of the sector to the GDP thrice compared to its current contribution. — ONA
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