Okaz/Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — Dr. Ali Al-Shaikhi, CEO of the National Fisheries Development Program (NFDP), unveiled plans to export Saudi fish products to Russia. “The program works to support export plans and open Russian markets for local fish products. We have made coordination with the Russian side to register the Saudi companies producing shrimp and caviar in their bid to enter the Russian market,” he said adding that eight aquaculture companies have been certified so far, with the number expected to rise to 12 by December.

He made the remarks during the meeting of NFDP board of directors, chaired by Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli. The meeting reviewed a number of issues related to the development of the fisheries sector in the Kingdom and the export of Saudi fish to international markets, in addition to a number of initiatives and projects that are underway.

Shaikhi said that NFDP is continuing its efforts to implement a number of strategic initiatives and projects, including the initiative to develop the fishing sector, the initiative of applied research in the field of aquaculture, and the plan to revitalize the consumption pattern toward fish food in order to achieve the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

The program is also implementing the first phase of the project, which includes the process of internal and external training for young Saudis in the profession of fishing, and empower and support the Saudi fishermen. NFDP represents a comprehensive national strategy to develop the fisheries sector, enhance its economic and developmental role, and make the best use of the Kingdom’s natural resources in the field of fisheries and raise its production in a sustainable manner.