April 10, 2007

Malaysia aims to slash fish imports through aquaculture

Malaysia intends to slash fish import from RM8.6 bilion (US$2.5 billion) last year to RM1.2 billion (US$350 million) within the Ninth Malaysia Plan (2006-2010) period, said Agriculture Ministry Secretary-General Dr Zulkifli Idris.

The Agriculture and Agro- based Industry Ministry is developing the aquaculture industry on a massive scale through aquaculture special zones nationwide.

The special zones can hopefully help the government closer towards a trade balance, Dr Zulkifli said.

Last year, demand for aquaculture products rose 21.5 per cent to 662,000 tonnes, he told reporters. Besides meeting local demand, quality aquaculture produce such as sea perch, grouper and tiger prawns could also be exported, he said.