Prawn
Entrepreneurs Lament Delays, Water Pollution and Marketing Issues
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, 9
October 2006,
Monday - Several prawn entrepreneurs have voiced their grievances over
long delays in loan processing and other issues facing the shrimp
industry such as the absence of feeding mill, water pollution at
Pengkalan Sibabau and marketing problems.
These were highlighted
during a dialogue yesterday between the aquaculture (prawn) industry
entrepreneurs and the Minister of Industry and Primary Resources, Pehin
Dato Seri Setia Dr Awg Hj Ahmad, who chaired the session. Also present
were the Deputy Minister, Dato Paduka Awg Hj Hamdillah, Director of
Fisheries, Hjh Hasnah, Managing Director of Semaun Holdings, Dyg Hjh
Asmah, as well as directors under the ministry and senior officials.
An entrepreneur lamented
over the long delays in loan processing to finance the development of
prawn-breeding farms and to pay employees. In responding to this, the
government had long allocated funds through bank loans to help the
entrepreneurs. The government had given out funds totaling $24 million.
However, only a small fraction managed to settle the outstanding dues.
Hence, in the upcoming 9"
National Development Plan, the government will allocate $70 million in
promoting aquaculture business.
Another entrepreneur raised
the issue of developing a feeding mill for prawn. However the government
responded by saying that such a facility will not be developed as the
number of prawn entrepreneurs is small.
Meanwhile, a prawn
consultant from USA, Integrated Aquaculture International, has been
engaged by the government to help implement and enhance the prawn
breeding productivity.
They and the authority
concerned will attend a conference to take place in Miami, USA on
November 5- 9 this year. The meeting will provide an opportunity for
them to promote the local prawns to the world's largest consumer. The
consultant said Brunei produces high quality prawns which have the
potential to be exported throughout the region including to Sabah and
Sarawak.
The Minister said that they
will form a committee headed by himself to monitor the facilities and
technology as well as the situation to further develop the industry.
Meanwhile it was
highlighted that SEIWA Corporation is capable of producing five million
prawn "seeds".
Brunei is targeting the
production of large prawn species such as tiger prawns because countries
like Malaysia and India are producing normal prawn species.
The fisheries industry has
a potential to contribute towards economic diversification from heavy
dependence on oil and gas. Research conducted on resources and fisheries
potential indicated that the fisheries sector could achieve total
receipts of $400 million in 2023. Out of this figure, $200 million could
come from aquaculture and another $113 million from prawn breeding.
The aquaculture industry's
growth succeeded in stimulating the rate of growth in fisheries sector
where it contributes $81.7 million in 2003 (1.0 per cent) from $12.3
million (0.2 per cent) in 1984.
The fisheries sector's
strategic plan for 2005-2023 targets a value of $200 million annually
from the aquaculture sector.
Towards meeting this
target, the department has implemented international aquaculture
technology verification projects which have been developed to be used by
local entrepreneurs in producing high quality aquaculture products,
which is on par with international markets.
One of the efforts
undertaken to boost production is by acquiring an aquaculture expert to
help the department in improving the prawn "seeds" and improving prawn
growth rate.
Even with the services of a
foreign specialist, what is going to be the challenge is that local
entrepreneurs should double their efforts to achieve the target and they
have to produce high quality products.
The dialogue was held in
order for the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources to hear issues,
ideas and problems faced by entrepreneurs. The ministry will also give
support to the entrepreneurs in upgrading and developing their
businesses to be more productive and of high quality in order to compete
in the international market.
The dialogue was held for
the first time and attended by 13 prawn entrepreneurs.
- Courtesy of
Borneo Bulletin -
