Shrimp
Farmers Eye Lucrative US Mart
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, 9
October 2006,
Monday - Brunei Darussalam's fisheries sector has the potential to earn
$400 million in 20 years, with prospects of entering the lucrative US
market for shrimp soon.
Government research studies
show that by 2023, the nation has the potential to earn $200 million
from aquaculture and $113 million from shrimp farming.
Brunei is eyeing as
possible buyers famous US seafood restaurant Red Lobster, which imports
40,000 metric tons of shrimp a year.
To ensure that this
potential is realised, the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources
has tapped the expertise of US-based Integrated Aquaculture
International (IAI).
The US company will among
others help local shrimp breeders rear virus-free shrimp that will pass
quality checks in the US market, said Deputy Minister Dato Paduka
Hamdillah Abd Wahab. It will provide technology on the latest breeding
and hatchery techniques as well as research and development expertise
for the local breeders.
IAI's Technical Director,
George W Chamberlain said his team will enable Bruneian shrimp farmers
to work towards larger, virus-free shrimp necessary for Brunei to create
a niche market in the US.
Next month, the ministry
will send a delegation to the Global Shrimp Outlook Expo in Miami,
Florida. This is expected to allow Brunei's shrimp producers an
opportunity to meet top US buyers like WalMart and McDonald's.
Dato Paduka Hamdillah said
Brunei, which now produces 400 metric tons of shrimp, must be fully
prepared if it intends to compete with other bigger and more experienced
seafood exporting countries,
"We have to show we are
professionals, not amateurs," he said during a dialogue with a group of
shrimp breeders.
Minister Pehin Orang Kaya
Setia Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Dr Ahmad Jumat said the focus on
agriculture and fisheries is part of efforts to diversify the economy.
- Courtesy of
The Brunei Times -
