ISLAMABAD, July 19: Commerce Minister Humayun Akhtar Khan on Saturday said the government was ready to encourage fish farming, particularly, shrimp farming in the Balochistan province.

He said this in a meeting with Governor Balochistan Abdul Qadir Baluch and Chief Minister Jam Mohammad Yousuf here.

The trade minister asked the provincial government to prepare a master plan for this purpose and assured that the federal government would provide all necessary assistance and consultation facilities in this regard.

The governor and the chief minister discussed with the minister the matters pertaining to the new trade policy and trade development in the province.

The commerce minister assured them that his ministry would also provide financial assistance to the province from the Export Development Fund (EDF), as fish farming was most viable for the uplift of the people of Balochistan.

Mr Khan said the government would encourage the private sector to set up fish-processing plants in the province. He also disclosed that the government was considering to establish a dehydration plant in Balochistan.

Mr Baluch appreciated the idea of promotion of fish farming in the province and said, “We are interested in promotion of trade and business activities in Balochistan but the federal government should provide full assistance in this regard.”