Fisheries sector’s contribution to GDP to improve 5 fold by 2023: MoAF

Muscat – 

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MoAF) is aiming to improve the fisheries sector’s contribution to the GDP 5 fold, taking it to RO1.3bn in 2023 from RO225mn in 2016. To accomplish this target, the ministry is expecting to raise fish production to 1.4mn tonnes in 2023 from 280,000 tonnes in 2016.  

The projections had been presented by H E Dr Hamad bin Said al Oufi, Undersecretary in MoAF, at a fisheries and aquaculture workshop held in Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) on Tuesday. 

Dr Hamad bin Said al Oufi

H E Oufi mentioned that according to the World Bank, Oman’s fishing business is only a couple of actions away from reaching a competitive business status of international scale. He added that the ministry is also operating to streamline processes involved in setting up fisheries-associated companies in Oman. “Businesses in the fisheries sector face challenges such as slow procedures and lengthy time-consuming steps to obtain land for aquaculture/fish farming. We are working to facilitate and simplify the procedures,” he mentioned. The ministry is operating on preparing customised programmes for conventional fishermen to make sure their continuation in the fishing profession. Outlining the outcome of Tanfeedh’s Fisheries Labs, H E Oufi informed that about eight,600 new jobs are anticipated to be developed by 2023, as nicely as generation of 80 per cent of investments from the private sector. H E Renaud Salins, the French Ambassador to Oman, who also addressed the opening ceremony of the workshop, mentioned, “The fisheries sector is one of the top priorities of the economic diversification strategy of the sultanate. We are ready to transfer the French experience in fisheries of using latest technology. We want to create more bilateral investment opportunities in fisheries between Omani and French companies.”  In his welcome speech, Qais bin Mohammed al Yousef, Chairman of OCCI, mentioned the objective of the workshop was to raise awareness and exchange info and understanding about fish farming projects, fisheries improvement, and coaching of fishermen in adopting contemporary strategies. “The presence of the French side, which has advanced experience in the fisheries sector, will be a great addition to the workshop,” he mentioned.

Information Source: Muscat Daily