Norway and Malaysia has sign a contract on Regulatory Framework for Aquaculture in Malaysia, to contribute to sustainable development of aquaculture in Malaysia.
As a global leader in aquaculture Norway will help Malaysia develop a regulatory framework for aquaculture farming and will also provide experts and training for Department of Fisheries (DOF) staff in the field.
Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Noh Omar said besides strengthening relations between the two countries, the agreement is a step forward to enhance the development of the local aquaculture industry.
Thus, he said, it would also help reduce the problem of fish supply shortage.
“When we rear fish in cages, it is more assuring in terms of income, whereas now when we go out to sea to fish, we don’t know how much fish we can get daily. “Therefore, we want to encourage more people to rear fish which can help ensure sufficient fish supply in the country,” he said after witnessing the signing ceremony Monday.
Seven experts from Norway will come in October to train DOF staff here, while 20 DOF officers will be sent to Norway for short-term and long-term courses.
DOF will also set up a new division for aquaculture, as they have acknowledged, that it has become a more important sector not only in the country but also worldwide.
The total funding for the project is on a cost-sharing basis; Norway will provide RM3.253mil in funding while Malaysia will contribute RM3.275mil, starting 2012-2015.
