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Japanese grant for fishery sector in jeopardy
KARACHI, April 22: Diplomatic naivete by a delegation of Japan's fishery sector
has put in jeopardy, the prospect of a proposed
grant worth $30 million to Pakistan.
The Japanese embassy in Pakistan spurned the visit
of a three-member delegation of Japan's fishery
ministry, which recently visited the Karachi Fish
Harbour (KFH) without notifying the concerned
diplomat, sources close to the fishery circle
said.
"The delegation visited the harbour in March to
propose a grant but in vain as later they informed
the fishery authorities that they had not
fulfilled the diplomatic protocol required to
finalise any financial assistance," said a source.
"The delegation's visit was questioned by the
Japanese embassy as it was not informed about it,"
he added.
The three-member delegation was expected to
propose a grant worth $30 million which they had
agreed during their visit to Karachi for funding
refrigeration and processing plants in addition to
engineering goods for Pakistan's fishery sector to
the government of Japan.
The delegates comprising high ups of the
Mitsubishi Corporation visited the Karachi Fish
Harbour and held meetings with the officials of
the Sindh fishery ministry.
The delegation visited Pakistan on behalf of the
Overseas Fishery Consultant Association of Japan's
fishery ministry.
"The delegation pinpointed specific areas for
funding. They also identified certain areas where
they thought there is a need of financing to make
it better and result oriented," said the sources
adding: "The authorities were confident of getting
the funds."
The Japanese government in 2002 too, had approved
a $300 million grant for the revamping of
Pakistan's industrial infrastructure, research,
training and the setting up of water desalination
plant in Pakistan.
The funding was aimed to set up a modern training
institute of automotive parts, a training
institute in the fishery' sector to improve
packing and preservation of seafood and the
establishment of an institute of basic quality
control of cotton in Multan.
The $300 million grant was given in shape of
machinery, expertise, manpower, etc.
"After that this was the second such move of the
Japanese government to enhance Pakistan's fishery
sector. Now it is too early to say as to when the
Japanese authorities would look into the matter
again," said the source.
Pakistan's marine fishing shares almost 80 per
cent of total seafood export, which stands around
$125 million.
Pakistan has a 1050 kilometre long coastline
divided into two major portions - Sindh coastline
(about 350-km) from Karachi to the Indian border
and the Balochistan coastline from west of Karachi
to the Iranian border - and possesses a much
narrower continental shelf (15-50km) with a number
of spectacular bays along its length.
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Pakissan.com; Advisory Point
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