Arab fishery marketing center holds meeting in Rabat

The information and counseling center on fish products marketing in Arab states, known as "INFOSAMAK" is holding its general assembly in Rabat that is discussing the activity program and budget for 2001-2002.

The opening session was chaired by Moroccan minister of maritime fisheries, said Chbaatou, and attended by delegates of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

The center-- whose headquarters were transferred from Manama, Bahrain, to Casablanca at the initiative of the majority of member states and the FAO-spreads information and extends technical assistance to member states on fish marketing to help promote fishery industries in the Arab region and adapt them to demand. The center also seeks to exploit the exporting possibilities both within and outside the region and to enhance economic and technical cooperation between the member states for a sustained development of the sector which can contribute to food security in the Arab world.

INFOSAMAK musters Algeria, Bahrain, Mauritania, Morocco, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia and Yemen. It is part of the world network of information and technical assistance on sea products marketing set up by the FAO and known as Info Network.