Portugal eyeing Malaysia's frozen seafood

Portuguese investors have shown keen interest in frozen seafood from Perak state in Malaysia, a development which can make the state the sector's aquaculture hub.

Perak's Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin said the investors were looking at between MYR35 million and MYR40 million worth of investments in the first phase of the industry.

Jamaluddin said on Wednesday (Dec 17) the investors will also introduce new technology linked to the quality of water, pollution, higher yields and special training for the breeders.

He also pointed out that the investors, who has 15 years of experience in the industry were attracted by the high quality of prawns bred in an estimated 3,000 ponds in the state.

He said breeders are using their own methods to breed prawns and with the investments, they hope to have a standardized technology.

He also said the investors have also expressed interests in certain types of fish, like the tilapia.

He said the investors would introduce a certain standard for packing the prawns to meet the requirements set by EU.

He said the state would identify a suitable site of between 1.2 hectares and 1.6 hectares for the project, adding the whole cost of the venture would be borne by investors.

The minister added that they are waiting for investors to revert with the relevant documents, work schedule and production capacity.