08 March 2005	Tuesday	26 Muharram 1426

ISLAMABAD, March 7: The government is considering a proposal to hire consultants for the up gradation of fisheries sector. This was disclosed by Commerce Minister Humayun Akhtar Khan in a meeting with the representatives of fisheries sector here on Monday.

An official announcement said that a meeting in this respect would soon be held in Karachi with the Sindh government to address the issue immediately. Mr Khan said the State Bank, Smeda, SME Bank and Khushhali Bank would be consulted to devise a scheme for financing the boat owners so that they could upgrade their boats to fulfil the criteria required by the European Commission.

The meeting noted that the fisheries sector was facing problems like standardized boats, clean water, proper landing platforms and modern auction halls. The commerce minister said that his ministry was not only interested in maintaining the present level of fisheries export, but also wanted to enhance their export.

He said the government would do its best to make Pakistani fish and its products acceptable to European Union states by helping fisherman to meet quality and standards set by the European Commission.