February 1, 2007

New aquaculture zone unveiled in Malaysia
 

Malaysia's Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Tuesday launched the Aquaculture Industrial Zone (ZIA), Malaysia's aquaculture project which the government believes would bring in revenue of RM6.3 billion by 2010 (US$1.8 billion).  

The ZIA was a major project in terms of providing job opportunities with high income to participants and opening new businesses in the fisheries industry, Badawi said, adding that it is a  project to generate new income for fishermen, graduates and those under the Housing Programme for the Hardcore Poor, Badawi said.

Abdullah said if well implemented, the ZIA project could bring about a major change to the country's economic development.

Badawi urged the private sector to participate in the export business so that products from the project could be sold overseas. 

Malaysia intends for aquaculture to become a major thrust of the fisheries industry in the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP).