January 17, 2008	Thursday	Muharram 07, 1429

KARACHI, Jan 16: The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and the seafood exporters on Wednesday discussed a plan to improve fisheries in Pakistan and seafood exports.

Tariq Ikram, TDAP chairman, outlined the implementation programme at a meeting held at the TDAP office.

Leaders of Pakistan Sea-Food Industries Association Sardar Mohammad Hanif Khan, Captain Syed Akhlaq Husain, Iftikhar Zaidi, Faisal Iftikhar and senior officials of the TDAP attended the meeting.

According to the proposed plan, the Marine Fisheries Department would undertake boat registration while technical experts of Karachi Shipyard would supervise inspection and repair of boats on six monthly basis.

The management of the harbour would be outsourced to some international agency of world class while processing and peeling units would be ISO certified.

A proper training would be imparted to the concerned.

Boxes would be laminated and National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) would be requested to facilitate financing on 50:50 basis for installation. Ice flakes would be provided to boats via balloting. —APP