The Ministry of Agriculture and the Agricultural Development Fund (ADF) are planning over the next 10 years to create a self-sufficient local fish industry to meet local demand and to start exporting, according to an informed source. The Ministry of Agriculture will grant licenses to fish farming projects to keep up with local demand, the source added. Jaber Al-Shehri, Undersecretary for fish resources at the ministry, told Al-Eqtisadiah newspaper that the ministry plans to develop the industry. Al-Shehri said that currently 60 percent of local fish consumption is satisfied by imports because local production cannot meet the high demand for fish. “We are keen to encourage Saudis to enter the fishing market and we will clear all obstacles for them. The ministry will provide them with loans from the ADF to buy boats.” The ministry seeks to achieve self-sufficiency in the production of fish over the next 10 years, he pointed out.
