Myanmar Fisheries Federation will request the upcoming government to focus on the development of fishery sector

The Myanmar Fisheries Federation will request the upcoming government to focus on the development of fishery sector, said U HninOo, senior vice president of the Federation.

“Previously, we had to abide by the instructions from the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock. The situation has changed so we will promote the needs for the fishery sector’s development and negotiate with the new government,” he said.

“This will not be done to fulfil personal gains. We are going to do it in order for the country to get more foreign income from fishery enterprises.”

Myanmar earned over $650 million yearly from fisheries product exports prior to 2010. However, fishery product exports have decreased recently and earned less than $400 million in the three consecutive years after 2010, U HninOo added.

“The amount of fish exports has been low for three consecutive years due to the low production of fishery products locally,” said U Tun Aye, chairman of Myanmar Fishery Products Processors and Exporters Association.

U Han Tun, vice president of Myanmar Fisheries Federation, said the fishery sector development was included in NLD policy before the November 2015 election but the policy is not very different than the current government’s one.

He said the government can earn more money if it scrutinises and reforms the taxation policy on the fishery sector.

“The average price of Myanmar fish was $1,350 per tonne in 2011, but has risen to $1,450 per tonne now. If full taxes were collected, the yearly income for the government could surpass $850 million [from this sector],” he claimed.

Vietnam earns $9 billion yearly from fishery sector and Thailand earns $8 billion yearly, a great deal more than Myanmar’s $400 million.

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