Three point plan to boost seafood exports

Kochi, Jun 8 (UNI) Calling upon the Government-agencies to think in terms of employment rather than dollars, Union Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh today unfolded a three-point plan to boost the seafood exports and raising employments in a big way.

Addressing a press conference here, the Minister said the Government wanted to see the present 1.5 million job opportunities in the sector increasing to 4 million in the next five years.

Attempts were being taken for diversification in the sector with tuna and scampi culture being extended to more places as shrimps alone accounted for 60 per cent of the total exports at present.

Large areas of uncultivable lands in Gujarat, Orissa and Maharashtra would be used for aquaculture, besides an increasing proportion of value added products which at present formed just 10 per cent of the total volume, he said.

However, the Minister affirmed that the country would not oppose the import of fish from other countries for processing and exporting, subject to the existing laws.

Referring to the problems faced by the fisheries sector he said the demand for subsidy on diesel for fishing boats and vessels would be discussed with the Petroleum Minister.

Meanwhile, he urged the Kerala Government to extend subsidy to the mechanised fishing boats, as in Andhra Pradesh which gave upto Rs 6 per liter as subsidy.

UNI JA VV ARB ND1828