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Roundup: EU boosting Myanmar's aquaculture sector

Xinhua, October 10, 2015 Adjust font size:

The European Union is stepping towards boosting Myanmar's aquaculture production and improving food safety.

As part of EU Myanmar Trade Development Program, EU provided the first training courses participated by over 100 trainees, focusing on sanitary and phytosanitary measures that control international hygiene standards in the production phase of the country's fishery sector.

Myanmar's fishery products will almost certainly gain access to global markets if cold storage facilities can be upgraded and farming techniques are developed, said U Win Kyaing, MFF general secretary.

The aquaculture project at a cost of 20 million euro (22.7 million U.S. dollars) will span six years starting next year aimed at developing shrimp and fish farming techniques at hatcheries across the country.

The project is part of a 1 billion euro (1.13 billion U.S. dollars) EU aid package to Myanmar.

One of the main areas of focus will be Rakhine State, where much of Myanmar's aquaculture sector is based.

According to Myanmar Fisheries Federation (MFF), consultations are underway with EU experts and federation members and all suggestions are being collated.

Myanmar exports fishery products to the European countries from upgraded 20 of 116 cold storages that complied with its quality standards.

According to statistics of the federation, Myanmar exported 6, 282 metric tons of fishery products at a value of more than 9 million U.S. dollars to the EU market since sanctions were lifted in 2012.

Exports of Myanmar to the EU increased substantially since Myanmar initiated political and economic reforms in 2011, the country doubled its exports during that time.

In 2013, the EU restored Myanmar's access to the EU's generalized system of preferences, which allows developing countries to pay less or no duties on their exports to the EU.

Between 1991 and 2013, Myanmar's aquaculture cultivation increased from 12,225 to 180,614 hectares. The sector currently employs around 130,000 people, according to official data. Endi