Prawn Entrepreneurs Lament Delays, Water Pollution And Marketing Issues

BRUNEI - Several prawn entrepreneurs have voiced their grievances over long delays in loan processing and other issues facing the shrimp industry such as the absence of feeding mill, water pollution at Pengkalan Sibabau and marketing problems.

These were highlighted during a dialogue yesterday between the aquaculture (prawn) industry entrepreneurs and the Minister of Industry and Primary Resources Pehin Dato Seri Setia Dr Awg Hj Ahmad, who chaired the session. Also present were the Deputy Minister, Dato Paduka Awg Hj Hamdillah, Director of Fisheries Hjh Hasnah, Managing Director of Semaun Holdings, Dyg Hjh Asmah, as well as directors under the ministry and senior officials.

An entrepreneur lamented over the long delays in loan processing to finance the development of prawn-breeding farms and to pay employees. In responding to this, the government had long allocated funds through bank loans to help the entrepreneurs. The government had given out funds totaling $24 million. However, only a small fraction managed to settle the outstanding dues.

Source: Brunei Direct