October 31, 2007

Malaysia to tap Mid-East potential at Sea Food Expo 2007
 

Malaysia's effort to develop its aquaculture and fisheries export market has led to seafood sales to the Middle East topping AED 11.7 million (US$3.2 million) last year, according to Albawaba.com, a news agency in the UAE.

Malaysia, hoping to further expand its seafood share in the market, has sent a 12-member delegation to participate at Sea Food Expo 2007, running from October 29 to 31, 2007 in Dubai.

The move is aimed at tapping into Dubai's rapidly expanding fisheries sector, which amounted to AED 735 million (US$ 200 million) in 2006, Albawaba reported.

Malaysia last year exported 3,636 tonnes of seafood to the Middle East.

At the same time, Malaysia's government allocated AED 171.52 million (US$46.7 million)  to the seafood industry to develop the breeding, cultivation and processing sector, with an emphasis on cage culture, hatchery, deep-sea fishing and ornamental fish culture.

Seafood is big business in the country, generating annual revenues of more than AED 6.46 billion (US$1.76 billion).

Malaysia recognises the promise that the seafood sector holds to establish the country as a major contributor and a top source of high-quality seafood products in the global arena, said Mohamad Shaupi Derahman, Director of Planning, Development and International Division, Department of Fisheries.

The government is thus investing to develop seafood processes and boosting  production to realise the potential of this industry, he added.

Malaysia is also seeking to expand its share of the global market for Halal food, through participation of events such as Sea Food Expo 2007.

Malaysia's participation at Sea Food Expo 2007 will provide them with an effective venue to build a strong reputation in the market, and enable it to establish itself as a Halal food hub and a leading seafood producer in the world, said Raees Ahmed, Director, Orange Fairs & Events, which organised the event.