Sultanate has great potential as seafood producer, exporter
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
BRUNEI has an opportunity to develop markets for fisheries products, both capture and culture, according to an expert at a seminar on the challenges and opportunities of exporting seafood products to the European Union (EU).
In her presentation to officials from the Fisheries Department and other relevant government agencies and seafood entrepreneurs, Dr T V Gayathri Rao highlighted that the Sultanate is well situated within the proximity of Singapore, Thailand, China, Taiwan, Japan and Australia, which were possible markets for all fisheries products. The Middle East, Europe and USA were also viable markets.
"It is for us to capitalise and make use of resources in ways that benefit us," she said.
Of the 161 kilometre of Brunei's coast-line, Dr Rao said that the coastal waters found near mangroves are "rich" with naturally-existing populations of pelagic fish and bottom-dwelling animals such as crabs, shrimps and lobsters.
Brunei has a rich source of capture fisheries, both fresh water and marine, she added.
However, Dr Rao cautioned that these natural resources had to be "judiciously harvested" in order to ensure continuity year after year for future generations in line with the the country's focus on sustainable aquaculture, where a yearly steady supply can be ensured without depleting these resources.
"A marketable product of high value such as shrimp or fresh water marble goby or giant fresh water prawn can be grown throughout the year," she said.
The expert, who was a private entrepreneur herself as well as a facilitator in the seafood markets, stated that it was possible to customise the table size of shrimp or fish for a particular market.
Dr Rao said that products were often customer-specific, depending on the taste or food habits of the country being exported to.
Brunei also faced several challenges as a fisheries product exporter.
Among these were the issues concerning the adequate volumes of various products, production costs and pricing, the number of markets and the logistics of shipping.
She also outlined several opportunities which Brunei could delve into including exploring niche markets for high quality products which are produced using zero anti-biotics and chemicals and attending trade shows to promote its seafood products.
The Brunei Times
In her presentation to officials from the Fisheries Department and other relevant government agencies and seafood entrepreneurs, Dr T V Gayathri Rao highlighted that the Sultanate is well situated within the proximity of Singapore, Thailand, China, Taiwan, Japan and Australia, which were possible markets for all fisheries products. The Middle East, Europe and USA were also viable markets.
"It is for us to capitalise and make use of resources in ways that benefit us," she said.
Of the 161 kilometre of Brunei's coast-line, Dr Rao said that the coastal waters found near mangroves are "rich" with naturally-existing populations of pelagic fish and bottom-dwelling animals such as crabs, shrimps and lobsters.
Brunei has a rich source of capture fisheries, both fresh water and marine, she added.
However, Dr Rao cautioned that these natural resources had to be "judiciously harvested" in order to ensure continuity year after year for future generations in line with the the country's focus on sustainable aquaculture, where a yearly steady supply can be ensured without depleting these resources.
"A marketable product of high value such as shrimp or fresh water marble goby or giant fresh water prawn can be grown throughout the year," she said.
The expert, who was a private entrepreneur herself as well as a facilitator in the seafood markets, stated that it was possible to customise the table size of shrimp or fish for a particular market.
Dr Rao said that products were often customer-specific, depending on the taste or food habits of the country being exported to.
Brunei also faced several challenges as a fisheries product exporter.
Among these were the issues concerning the adequate volumes of various products, production costs and pricing, the number of markets and the logistics of shipping.
She also outlined several opportunities which Brunei could delve into including exploring niche markets for high quality products which are produced using zero anti-biotics and chemicals and attending trade shows to promote its seafood products.
The Brunei Times
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