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Business Recorder
16 hours ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Seafood export target set at $450m, minister told
ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Maritimes Affairs has set seafood export target at $450 million this year and a non-tax revenue target of Rs 250 million within next three years. This was told by Marine Fisheries Department (MDF) Director General (DG) Dr Mansoor Ali Wasan to the Federal Minister for Maritimes Affairs Junaid Akbar Chaudhary. The DG MDF said that his department has initiated establishing a fisheries dialogue, research centre, revamping the fisheries training center to conduct 300 training sessions over three years and reactivating four laboratories to achieve the targets. Pakistan's seafood exports from July to May (2020-24) stood at $383.088 million; an increase from $373.382 million recorded during the same period in 2019-23. This reflects a year-on-year growth rate of approximately 2.6 percent, despite global economic challenges and fluctuating trade patterns. He added Pakistan is endowed with immense fishing potential, thanks to our 1,000-kilometre-long coastline, diverse aquatic species, and favourable climatic conditions. China has emerged as a pivotal partner in our seafood trade, accounting for a substantial portion of our exports. Pakistan's seafood exports reached $410.268 million in fiscal year 2023-24, a decrease of 17.4 percent compared to the record high of $496.6 million in the 2022-23 fiscal year. DrWasan informed the maritime minister that stakeholders in fisheries, such as fishermen, exporters, and crew members will receive training at the Fisheries Research Centre. The minister urged KoFHA to accelerate the Pak Aqua public-private venture to enhance trade by leveraging private sector investment for facility modernisation and operational efficiency. The minister emphasised the importance of climate-resilient infrastructure in a new maritime strategy, aiming to modernise ports, reduce environmental impact, and boost economic growth. In a series of high-level meetings, the minister reviewed progress across key maritime institutions, including the Port Qasim Authority (PQA), Karachi Port Trust (KPT), Korangi Fisheries Harbour Authority (KoFHA), and the Marine Fisheries Department (MFD), emphasising environmental sustainability. The minister assessed the implementation of PQA's 10-year development plan focused on increasing cargo handling capacity and modernising infrastructure to establish the port as a regional maritime logistics hub. Junaid Anwar Chaudhry also evaluated KPT's reform strategy emphasising governance, human capital, operational modernisation, financial sustainability, stakeholder engagement, and service delivery. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Sindh, Balochistan: Stakeholders consulted on national fisheries & aquaculture policy
GWADAR: MoMA, in collaboration with UN FAO, held Stakeholder Consultation Workshop (for Sindh and Balochistan Provinces) on National Fisheries Policy at a local hotel on May 22. It was an outstanding workshop with productive feedback and input from more than 80 relevant and experienced participants, including high-level officials from both provinces (Sindh and Balochistan) and federal institutions. After recitation and national anthem, welcome note was given by Assistant Fisheries Commissioner Farhan Khan, while MD KoFHA Dr Shahid Mirza delivered opening remarks. FAO Team member Amna Munir briefed about the project for national fisheries policy. FAO's Senior Policy Specialist Dr Kanwar Muhammad Javed Iqbal presented an overview on the draft policy document. Secretary Fisheries Sindh Dr Kazim Hussain Jatoi gave remarks as Guest of Honour in the inaugural session. DG Fisheries Balochistan and Director Fisheries Sindh made official presentations for their respective provinces with very good feedback on draft policy document. As Guest of Honour, Secretary Fisheries Balochistan Tariq Qamar spent the whole day and gave concluding remarks in addition to his remarks in the inaugural session. The closing session was chaired by Secretary Fisheries Balochistan and co-chaired by MD KoFHA Dr Shahid Mirza. Three panelists were CEO FDB M Junaid Wattoo, DG MFD Dr Mansoor Wassan and DG TDAP Athar Khokhar. Following were key dignitaries in the session: Secretary (as Guest of Honour) and DG, Livestock and Fisheries Sindh Province; 2. Secretary (as Guest of Honour) and DG Fisheries Balochistan; 3. Director General TDAP; 4. Chairman, Korangi Fish Harbour Authority (KoFHA); 5. Managing Director KoFHA; 6. DG MFD, MoMA; 7. CEO FDB; 8. Director Pakistan Security Agency, MoD; 9. Advisor Fisheries WWF Moazzam Khan; 10. Wasim Khan, former DG MFD and Ex FAO's Consultant; 11. WB's Study (on fisheries value chain) Team Members from AERC Karachi University, including the Director; 12. Faisal Iftikhar, CEO Aquahatch International; 13. Asif Lahri, GLLSP-II; 14. Daim Shah Bukhari, Aquaculture Farmers Association; 15. Chairman Pak FEA; 16. Participants from academia and think tanks including LUAWMS, AERC KU, Marine Biology KU, NIMA BU, Dadabhoy University etc. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
