Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Resources Ahmed Shiyam has expressed enthusiasm for Chinese investment in the Maldives’ fish processing industry during a meeting yesterday with Chinese Ambassador Wang Lixin. The discussions, held with senior officials from the Department of Ocean and Fisheries Resources from Fujian Province, China, focused on enhancing the Maldives’ fisheries and ocean resources sectors.
Minister Shiyam and senior officials of the Ministry met with the Chinese ambassador to the Maldives, Wang Lixin, and the senior officials delegation from the Department of Ocean and Fisheries Resources of Fujian Province, China. They exchanged discussions on the development of… pic.twitter.com/DxyQ6DnRws
— Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources (@MFORmv) May 28, 2024
Minister Shiyam highlighted the Maldives’ interest in collaborating with China on capacity building, mariculture, and exploratory fishing. The minister emphasised the importance of transforming the fisheries processing sector and noted the potential benefits of Chinese expertise and investment in this endeavour.
Moreover, the Ministry facilitated a constructive meeting between the Maldives Seafood Processors and Exporters Association (MSPEA) and the visiting delegation.
Fujian Province is renowned as one of China’s leading regions in fisheries and aquaculture, offering advanced techniques and knowledge that could significantly benefit the Maldives. The discussions aimed to identify areas of cooperation to boost the Maldivian economy through improved fisheries practices and infrastructure. In line with these discussions, the Maldivian government recently awarded contracts for the construction of fish processing factories in three regions – Faafu Atoll Nilandhoo, Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll Fiyoari, and Lhaviyani Atoll Felivaru – to the Chinese company Donfang Electric International Corporation.
