ISLAMABAD, July 8: “Fisheries sector will be facilitated in availing export re-finance scheme of the State Bank so that fisheries community can obtain loans at softer interest.”

This was decided on Monday during a meeting chaired by Khair Mohammad Junejo, Federal Minister for Food, Agriculture and Livestock.

The meeting was attended by Shafi Niaz, adviser to the President on Food, Agriculture and Livestock, Balochistan provincial minister for fisheries, members of CBR and the representatives of fisheries community.

Mr. Junejo informed the participants that the State Bank and Agricultural Development Bank had already agreed to provide loans to the fisheries community at 14 per cent markup rate that is equivalent to the interest rate available to the agriculture sector.

He said that the SBP would be requested further to lower down this markup rate for the fisheries community so that it could equip itself with modern infrastructure to catch, store and market their fish. This will help improve the quality of the catch fish resulting in bringing competitive rates in the local as well as international market.

Matters pertaining to deep sea fishing also came under discussion, and it was decided that this policy would be pursued and monitored regularly. It would be reviewed and re-evaluated after the lapse of one year as observed by the President Pervez Musharraf at the time of its launching.

It was also decided that Central Board of Revenue would be approached to lay off customs and sales tax on the equipment used in fisheries.

One representative each from the Sindh and Balochistan fishermen association will be included in the Federal Fisheries Development Board to make it more balanced.

Fisheries Cooperative Society (FCS) will also be facilitated so that the benefits of the government policies regarding fisheries can be distributed equally in the fishermen community.

The project for establishment of fish harbour at Ormara, Balochistan was also presented in the meeting. With the approval of this project Balochistan will enjoy another exclusive fish harbour with latest facilities of storage and marketing.