Fish factory that can create 1,000 jobs in UAE proposed

Abu Dhabi - Sharjah's Kalba area will be the ideal location for this project, an FNC member suggested.

A proposal to establish a fish export factory in Sharjah’s Kalba area was presented on Tuesday as the Federal National Council (FNC) discussed ways to support the country’s fishing industry and fishermen.

With the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment present at the session, FNC member Shatha Saeed Al Naqbi suggested looking into a study to establish an integrated national fish export factory, particularly in Kalba because of its ideal geographical location.

“This is very important, especially in light of the presence of various models from Kalba youths who have a lot of experience in exporting fish abroad. The facility will receive all types of marine life and would produce dried and canned fish, fresh fish and others, provided that the sources of this plant are from the Strait of Hormuz to the Strait of Bab Al-Mandab,” Al Naqbi said.

If implemented, the factory can be expected to create more than 1,000 job opportunities for Kalba, she added. “It would provide support to the UAE fishermen...provide natural feed for animals, and produce fertilisers, increase national local sufficiency and raise the level of quality in local markets.”

Al Naqbi said the factory could create a UAE national mark through manufacturing and exporting.

“If implemented, this national factory would provide support to the UAE fishermen, provide more than 1,000 job opportunities for the people of the region, provide natural feed for animals and produce fertilisers, increase national local sufficiency and raise the level of quality in local markets,” said Al Naqbi adding that the factory will create a UAE national mark through manufacturing and exporting.

To support the industry, Al Naqbi also proposed compensating fishermen during periods when they are not allowed to catch certain fish.

Among other suggestions was the formation of a national committee of experienced fishermen with representatives from all emirates. This team can investigate the various fish species and their sizes, help determine the periods of ban on certain types of fish during each year, and define the timings of the various fishing seasons and the methods of fishing for each season, Al Naqbi said.

Dr Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, confirmed to the house that the ministry would be looking into these proposals to see if they can adopt and implement some of the recommendations.

ismail@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE