Oman Ministry of Housing has signed three agreements which will help boost aquaculture production in the country from 353 tons (2013) to 7,330 tons annually.
The ministry signed the first usufruct agreement with Arabian Marine Development Company to set up an RO29mn ($75.3 million) integrated shrimp and sea cucumber farm and a township in Qurun in Ras Jibsh, South Sharqiyah spread over 500ha, a local daily reported.
Qasim bin Mohammed al Shizawi, a member of the board of directors of Arabian Marine Deployment, said that the project will produce 4,500 tons of seafood annually and create 500 jobs.
The second usufruct agreement was signed with Al Jazeera Investment Company to set up a abalone and grouper fish farming project in the niyabat of Sharbathat in the wilayat of Shaleem and Al Halaniyat Islands in Dhofar.
Adnan bin Salah al Ghassani, business development manager at Al Jazeera Investment Company said that the project in Dhofar will produce about 1,500 tons of grouper and 1,000 tons of abalone every year. “It will meet needs of the local market and the rest will be for export," he said.
The project worth RO34.5 million will be spread over 30 hectares. Also, Knowledge Modern Technologies Company received a technical license which allows it to start production of grouper fish in the Sur Industrial Area in South Sharqiyah at a cost of RO2.5 million.
Sheikh Saif bin Mohammed Al Shabibi, Minister of Housing, said the aim is to ensure food security, diversify sources of income and utilize the country’s natural resources.
The projects will also provide more than 800 job opportunities to citizens.
The three projects are valued at RO66 million ($171.5 million).
SG/Agencies
27 January
Oman plans 3 projects to lift aquaculture production
SG/Agencies
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