Development of existing infrastructure, enhancement of manpower, and creation of a separate fund for Hilsa production will top the agenda as the national body on fish meets early next month, officials said.
The meeting, scheduled for April 01, is expected to discuss finalisation of some projects, possible launching of intensive and semi intensive shrimp production process instead of traditional ones, financial support to the fish farmers, introduction of VGF programme to stop collecting shrimp PL (post larvae) and coordination among the concerned ministries and other related agencies in this regard.
The executive committee of the National Committee on Fish and Shrimp in a meeting held Sunday at the ministry of fisheries and livestock headed by its minister prepared the 10-point agenda to place in the upcoming meeting.
More than a decade has elapsed since the last meeting was held in 2000, although there is an obligation to hold it every year.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, also chairman of the National Committee, will chair the meeting to be held at the Prime Minister's office (PMO). The last meeting of the committee was held in 2000.
The committee was formed in 1998 aiming to take necessary measures to raise fish and shrimp production and help flourish the growth of the sector further.
"Though the shrimp sector is a 100 per cent export-oriented sector of the country, it was overlooked earlier. The prime minister wants to eliminate the problems of the fisheries sector," a senior official of the ministry told the FE after the meeting.
The meeting has been called to discuss the problems and find out the solutions of overcome the problems, he said, adding the meeting is expected to help the government find the way outs of the existing problems of the sector.
He also said that the meeting will also finalise the strategy of the government to ensure the progress of the sector in future.
When asked, a joint secretary of the fisheries ministry said it was not possible to hold the meeting due to the problems mainly changes of governments in different tenures that were not interested in the sector.
The government has already allocated Tk 300 million for the improvement of the infrastructures for the fish and shrimp sector, sources said.
"The government is planning to provide financial support for several new projects and they are expected to be finalised in the meeting," he added.
munni_fe@yahoo.com
© 2026 - All Rights with The Financial Express
