GCC private sector's help sought in fishery development

A seminar among representatives from the GCC states was held at Muscat inter-continental hotel two days ago.

In their recommendations, officials at the meeting stressed the need to develop the fishery sector by adopting elaborate plans aimed at emphasizing the role of this sector in food security strategic and economic diversification policies. They urged the private sectors in member states to focus investments in the fishery-based industries.

A statement issued at the end of the seminar stressed the importance of raising the standards of training for national manpower to enable citizens working in the field to ideally utilize modern technology in fishing and management of marine resources.

The statement gave special attention to the acquisition of data and statistics as a basic requirement and vital tool in proper management of fishery development programs; it recommended better coordination between GCC states for the exchange of data.

The statement welcomed the GCC states joining the WTO and viewed it as an opportunity for Gulf national products to enter the world market. In this context, it underlined the necessity of stepping up efforts to implement international specifications and standards in the field of fisheries.

The seminar was organized by the Oman chamber of commerce and industry (OCCI) in collaboration with the secretariat-general of the Union of GCC Chambers.