Bandar Seri Begawan - Fisheries projects in Tutong District will spur the creation of employment opportunities with possibly about 300 jobs available on the production side itself, said Director of Fisheries Hjh Hasnah Ibrahim.

Hjh Hasnah said that opportunities will definitely lie within the downstream industries generated from these projects, as supporting sectors to the fisheries industry. This included aspects such as logistics and delivery of goods, facilities and equipment to help the industry move forward.

However, she stressed that cooperation was necessary from all interested parties to achieve this goal.

"We should work together to push for it," she said, adding that there was a lot of potential for Brunei to expand the industry alongside developing related industries.

"So, we look forward to the future," she added.

Tutong District is hoped to develop into a major producer of cultured shrimp and high-value marine finfish, which will be retailed to export markets such as the European Union, Japan, China and Taiwan.

The increased activity is expected to boost the local economy and ultimately bring benefits to the residents them as well as the nation as a whole.

From the projects in Telisai, fish production is aimed at more than 4,000 metric tonnes annually on a sustainable basis, while shrimp will reach nearly 2,000 metric tonnes per annum.

Roadshows have been held in the past to update the residents of the area on the latest projects carried out by the department.

"I hope they will be very happy because it will mean development for the district," Hjh Hasnah said.

The Fisheries Department has spent millions on these projects, including $7 million for the Eco-Aquaculture Park and recently, an $8 million sea water pumping facility had been acquired by the department.

"The government has (invested in these projects) because we believe this is something that will bring returns in order to diversify the nation," she explained.

The director said that there has been a number of foreign investors who have expressed interest in investing in the nation's fisheries sector, according to the Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB), the body which the Fisheries Department was coordinating with to showcase the projects.

-- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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