October 28

 

as Myanmar is strategically located with its strategic coastlines and rich marine resources, the construction of an international fish market will bring about earning foreign income and a new basic infrastructure for economic growth.

 

Myanmar’s fisheries products are caught in Rakhine State, Yangon Region, Mon State and Taninthayi coastal region and then delivered to cold storage facilities and processing factories. Yangon is the main distribution hub for external markets as it is the principal port of Myanmar with ocean-going ships docking. Furthermore, the international airport is located in the city. It has basic facilities for cold chain transport so there are good prospects to construct the fish market meeting international standards in Yangon city.

 

“There should be an international fish market in one country. Myanmar exports fish and shrimp to foreign markets and domestic markets. Its fish market is pretty big yet it does not meet the international standard.

 

There are Kyimyindine Central Sanpya Fish Market and Shwepadauk Fish Market in Yangon Region but they do not meet the standards of the global market. Yangon is suitable for developing an international fish market due to being the city of Port and a major export hub of seafood. As far as I’m concerned, Yangon regional government has come to the resolution to develop a project for the international fish market. As Myanmar Fisheries Federation (MFF) has a good experience in fish markets, the Department of Fisheries, Yangon City Development Committee, MFF will implement this including natural environmental conservation activities. If this fish market emerge, it will generate foreign income and contribute to the economic growth as it is a country with rich natural resources in the region,” said MFF Vice-Chair Dr Toe Nanda Tin.

 

To construct the international fish market, a vast plot of land is required on the banks of the Yangon, Hlaing and Panhlaing rivers. The place to accommodate the vessels, the place where the ships dock, logistic warehouses for fisheries, distribution places for domestic markets and foreign markets, cold storage facilities, bus terminals and roads, sewage lines, 24-hour service shops, housings, banks and restaurants are requisite. Upon the emergence of the international fish market, Myanmar’s fisheries export and consumer sector will improve and value-added production will create economic opportunities for the State and the fish farmers.

 

At present, Myanmar is stepping up to produce value-added fisheries products. The raw fish is mostly sent to Thailand and China. It is also shipped to other foreign markets through Viet Nam and Bangladesh. As value-added products can increase export income, the country aims for direct export of value-added products. It can support the country’s agriculture and livestock sectors. The market will attract more foreign buyers of Myanmar’s freshwater/saltwater fisheries products for sure.

 

As agriculture and livestock are the backbones of Myanmar’s economy, the international fish market is required when the country is making efforts for adopting advanced fishing methods shifting from traditional farming to ramp up production than the neighbouring countries, sustainable fishing and freshwater fish farming in a momentum, conservation of livestock breeds for sustainable development, innovative, developing a profitable livestock business ideas, setting up a master plan, the sufficiency of agricultural by-products for livestock feedstuffs, increasing foreign income from the agriculture and livestock sectors and Myanmar’s livestock production surpassing the regional countries. — Nyein Thu (MNA)/GNLM