USAID-CSF to improve competitiveness of Pakistan’s fisheries sector:

Islamabad, May 22 – The Competitiveness Support Fund, a joint initiative of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Ministry of Finance, Government of Pakistan is providing technical assistance to the Ministry of Food Agriculture and Livestock and the Sindh Fisheries Department for better management of the Karachi Fish Harbor.

Pakistan has a fish and seafood industry worth approximately $1.2 billion. Exports alone are worth nearly $200 million. More than 800,000 people rely on the industry for their livelihoods or family income. The industry, however, is suffering from over-fishing that is reducing the resource base and yields, and from poor quality control that is reducing the catch value.

The Karachi Fish Harbor has in recent years had problems with fish quality and maintenance of sanitary and hygiene standards. In February 2007, 10 exporting companies were de-listed by the European Union, prohibiting them to export. Severe short-term impacts on processing companies have been reported when these bans occurred, and the reputation of Pakistan’s seafood industry is damaged worldwide. As a result, export earnings have suffered. The direct consequence of losing the EU export market is estimated to be more then $10 million per year.

In collaboration with the Government of Sindh and the Karachi Fish Harbor Authority, CSF is suggesting ways to improve the harbor management. Last year, CSF conducted an analysis of the various stakeholders’ needs and management options.

Both Federal and Government of Sindh have agreed in principle to evaluate CSF’s suggestions of bringing in an internationally renowned fish harbor management company through a competitive bidding process to manage and upgrade the facilities at the Karachi Fish Harbor. The cost of the interventions will be split between the Federal Government and Sindh Government.

As part of its assistance to the Government of Balochistan, CSF is also preparing a brief for the Fisheries Department on development of fish exporting and processing industries, particularly in the Gwadar and Pasni regions.

Support for CSF is part of the $1.5 billion in aid that the U.S. Government is providing – through USAID — to Pakistan over five years to improve economic growth, education, health, governance and for earthquake reconstruction.