Koperasi Permodalan Kuala Krai Bhd (KPKKB) has signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) with Aero Supplies and Consulting Pt. of Saudi Arabia for the export of freshwater Patin fish, reports the Bernama.
The project is part of the East Coast Economic Regions (ECER) efforts to boost the country's freshwater aquaculture industry, the ECER said in a statement here today.
The MoA includes the purchase of 20-40 containers of Patin per month from KPKKB and will generate an income of between RM80-100 million per year.
"The Patin fish-rearing project was started with the cooperation of the Kelantan Department of Fisheries and to date 140 ponds have been identified for use," said KPKKB's chairman, Datuk Seri Abu Raihan Wan Jaafar.
According to Bernama, the MoA was signed between the chairman of KPKKB, Datuk Seri Abu Raihan Wan Jaafar, and Aero Supplies chairman, Abdul Rahman Ali Al-Khalaf.
"We will invest between RM15-RM20 million to build a factory to process the Patin in pallets not later than the end of this year," said Abu Raihan.
He added the venture would offer better economic prospects and generate additional income for the Kuala Krai residents who are mostly rubber tapers.
"When the factory is ready, it will open job opportunities for 400-500 workers at the site," he said.
Abu Raihan said KPKKB would work on ventures for black tilapia fish, prawns, and chicken in stages for the export market.
The Patin is in high demand in international markets like Europe, Middle East, and United States.
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