Manama, Oct. 15 (BNA): Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, Deputy Prime Minister, has stressed the importance of encouraging Bahraini investors to continue investing in food industries, especially in the field of aquaculture, to raise levels of food security and diversify supply chains, through effective partnership with the private sector.
This would contribute to fulfilling the visions and aspirations of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and implementing the policies of the government, led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, he said.
The deputy premier indicated that based on its 2023-2026 programme, the government will support projects aimed at achieving food security, through offering a package of investment plots in the fields of plant agriculture, animal husbandry and fish farming, providing the beneficiaries with the necessary support and facilitating their access to safe technologies to increase food production.
The Deputy Prime Minister made the statements while visiting the National Aquaculture Centre in Ras Hayyan, in the presence of Wael bin Nasser Al Mubarak, Minister of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture, Ibrahim bin Hassan Al Hawaj, Minister of Works and His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Ali Al Khalifa. Southern Governor, in addition to officials and businessmen.
Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla inaugurated the Gulf Aquaculture Company, the first project of its kind in the Kingdom in producing farmed shrimp, which is one of the successful outcomes of the partnership initiative between the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture and the private sector, which supports efforts to enhance levels of food security locally.
The deputy premier said that the first fish farming company will encourage Bahraini investors to set similar projects in the future to contribute to boosting the national economy by producing safe and high quality local food.
Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla directed the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture to continue creating opportunities for investors to cultivate species that meet the needs and tastes of consumers, in order to achieve environmental sustainability of natural resources through alternatives that avoid depletion of marine wealth resulting from overfishing operations using traditional tools that violate the law.
Those opportunities would also contribute to making shrimp available throughout the year without being affected by the ban seasons, thus achieving self-sufficiency in this field, he said.
The deputy premier wished those in charge of the project every success in meeting the needs of the local market for shrimps, commending the tremendous efforts being exerted by the Minister of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture, and the Ministry's affiliates for their continuous implementation of the national plan aimed at increasing the kingdom's fisheries production capacity.
Wael bin Nasser Al Mubarak affirmed the Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Ministry's keenness to continue encouraging the private sector to invest in fish farming, as well as putting in place the necessary infrastructure for this important economic activity, commensurate with the goals of the comprehensive development process, led by HM the King and supported by HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
He expressed thanks and gratitude to the Deputy Prime Minister for visiting the National Aquaculture Centre in Ras Hayyan, and inaugurating the Gulf Aquaculture Company, which, he said, is a success story that adds to the series of effectives initiatives implemented by the Ministry in partnership with the private sector.
He unveiled that more aquaculture investment projects will be launched in the coming period following the Ministry's signing of agreements with a number of local companies wishing to practise this activity, which will contribute to strengthening the promising fish food industry by using modern technologies.
Sami Mohammed Sayyar, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Gulf Aquaculture Company, valued highly the Deputy Prime Minister's inauguration of the company, officially signaling the beginning of its operations, production and distribution, noting that Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla's interest in the project reflects the government’s support for the principle of partnership between the public and private sectors, in a way that benefits the nation and the citizens in various fields.
He stressed the company’s keenness to employ national human expertise, and use the latest technical equipment in the field of fish farming to supply the local market with fresh shrimp on a daily basis, throughout the year, in accordance with high quality standards, at competitive prices, and in quantities of no less than 170 tons annually.
He added that the company's production could be increased thanks to the capacity of its seven aquaria located on an area of 6,000 square metres in Ras Hayyan.