"The special zones can hopefully help the government realise the Trade Balance Plan by reducing the import of fish from RM8.6 bilion last year to RM1.2 billion within the Ninth Malaysia Plan (2006-2010) period," said Ministry Secretary-General Dr Zulkifli Idris.
Last year, the demand for aquaculture produce rose 21.5 per cent to 662,000 metric tonnes from 400,000 a year earlier, he told reporters after opening a seminar on the aquaculture industry and freshwater fish mini carnival at Dataran Lipis, here.
Besides meeting local demand, quality aquaculture produce such as siakap, kerapu and tiger prawns could also be exported, he said.
Aquaculture to slash fish import by 2010
KUALA LIPIS - The Agriculture and Agro- based Industry Ministry is developing the aquaculture industry on a massive scale by setting up aquaculture industry zones nationwide.