KARACHI:
Sindh Minister for Livestock and Fisheries, Muhammad Ali Malkani, has called on the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) to nominate representatives for advisory bodies of the Livestock and Fisheries Department. This would allow the private sector to actively shape policies and future planning in the sector.
During a visit to the Karachi Chamber, Malkani highlighted the investment potential in livestock and fisheries, calling them high-return sectors. According to a statement released on Wednesday, he said livestock offered guaranteed returns within six months, unmatched by other industries, and urged KCCI members to explore aquaculture and meat farming.
The minister stressed the urgent need to shift from ocean fishing, as fish stocks deplete, to sustainable aquaculture. He noted that businesspeople have already entered fish and shrimp farming but underscored scaling efforts. Referring to India’s export growth in this area, he said Pakistan’s marine and aquaculture exports still hover below $500 million annually. With proper investment, this could change.
He urged investment in value-addition, including fish cleaning, freezing, and date processing. The Makran coast contributes 40% of Pakistan’s fish catch, and Kech and Panjgur produce over half the country’s dates. However, lack of processing facilities leads to 30-40% post-harvest losses.
The Sindh government, he said, is ready to provide technical support to investors. Long-term ventures like meat and shrimp farming, he added, could help reduce poverty in rural areas. Chairman of the Businessmen Group (BMG), Zubair Motiwala, speaking via Zoom, said fish farming offers high returns and job creation with less effort. He urged efforts to raise awareness among investors, especially as most private investment remains focused on textiles.
