President Mohamed Nasheed has said that the government planned to open the fisheries sector, especially the aquaculture fisheries for investors. He made this statement while speaking at the function held at Ihavandhoo of Thiladhunmathi atoll to mark this year's Fishermen's Day.
Speaking in this regard, the President said the government aimed to hold an international seafood exhibition in the Maldives on next year’s Fishermen's Day.
President said that the Maldivian fisheries sector and the economy as whole were badly affected during the past year. He also said that in the Maldives fish catches was faced with a declining for a fifth consecutive year. He further said that the rise in fuel prices in 2008 had worsened the situation and that we now have to work very hard to recover from the crisis.
In his speech, the President noted that there were many challenges in developing the fisheries sector and that we now need to look for other resources from the ocean. He further spoke on the importance of finding investments, expertise to begin such a project.
Speaking in this regard, the President stressed the need to reform the management of state enterprises as well as public companies to recover from the economic difficulties.
Winners of special prize, memorial plaque and commemorative certificates, conferred by the Government on the occasion of the Fishermen's Day, received their awards from the President at the function today.
