RIYADH: The Kingdom has 2,400 km of coastlines on which giant fish farming projects use the latest technology, equipment and administrative methods that are at par with those in advanced nations including America and Japan, Jaber Al-Shehri, Ministry of Agriculture's Undersecretary for Animal Resources Affairs, said Tuesday. Investments in these projects, estimated to be worth hundreds of millions of riyals, are backed by the Agricultural Development Fund (ADF) and help meet the country's requirements for healthy, protein-rich food, he said at a workshop on the nation's fish industry. The state has offered large areas of the projects' lands in Tohama, Dhiba, Al-Wajh and Al-Jouf regions at a nominal rent with 30-year contracts, he said, adding that this has led to the development of the industry. Now the country's products reach most parts of the world including Europe, Australia and China, which reflects their good quality, he added. Abdullah Al-Rubaian, the Agricultural Development Fund's Chairman of the Board of Directors, said the workshop focused on implementing one of the seven initiatives launched by the Fund, which is related to handling, marketing and manufacturing, especially because most products of this industry go to international markets. “In future workshops we will discuss hurdles facing the sector, with the presence of experts,” he said. “Tackling difficulties facing the industry requires changes in the ways of thinking and in legislation, as well as the contribution of both public and private sectors.” Workshops will be held for each of the ADF's seven initiatives, he said, adding that they will create a large number of jobs and business opportunities for small- and medium-sized entities, and address challenges with handling and marketing. Abdullah Al-Owain, Director General of the ADF, said the organization has prepared strategies to address problems facing fisheries and fish farming. An international firm was assigned to study the sector and suggest solutions, and an advisory team of specialists is identifying problems that need attention, he said. Muhammad Al-Ballagh, Director of the National Prawn Company, said he hoped a workshop would be held for the first time to produce a strategic vision for the field and would support investors. Ballagh's company operates in Al-Leeth, with 3,000 employees including 500 Saudis. Dina Al-Faris, who said she is the first woman in the country and in the Middle East to invest in caviar farming, said the field is facing huge challenges and “we hope the workshop will lead to applied results.” She said producing caviar requires the right technology and climate, and expressed hope that investors will be supported.
