Fisheries sector being promoted

LAHORE
The Punjab government was promoting the fisheries sector for local and foreign investors by establishing an aquaculture export processing zone with collaboration of private sector, said Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries Additional Secretary Mian Ibrar Ahmad while addressing at the 5th International Fisheries Symposium.
The two-day event was arranged in collaboration with Pakistan Fisheries Society, European Union, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Fisheries Development Board, which concluded on Wednesday. The main theme of the symposium was to discuss opportunities for trade and investment in fisheries industry in the country. Dr Lahsen Ababouch - the chief of FAO Fisheries Division - chaired the meeting.
Minister for Fisheries Malik Asif Bha said 8,000 fish farms had been established on 60,000 acres in Punjab and their number was increasing continuously. He said soft loans as previously extended to the farmers might be revised so that the fish farms could be benefited.