Japan supports Antigua and Barbuda’s fisheries sector
Tuesday, July 13, 2004
ST. JOHN’S, Antigua: Foreign Affairs
Minister Harold Lovell and Japan’s Ambassador to the Caribbean Mr. Shigenobu
Kato, on Monday formalized arrangements for Japan’s support for the
construction of a Fisheries Centre in Antigua and Barbuda.
Minister Lovell said that fisheries are a sub-sector of the country’s economy
which has huge potential, but at present makes only a modest contribution to
the GDP. He said the facilities, which will be built in the Point area, in
conjunction with the other fisheries facilities in Antigua, can completely
transform the fisheries sub-sector here. “As
Minister responsible for tourism, I can assure you that it is the intention of
this government to create linkages between the tourism sector and other
sectors of the economy, especially agriculture and fisheries,” he said.
More than half a million tourists visit Antigua and Barbuda every year, which
is believed to be a huge market for agricultural and fisheries products. The
government has stated that the benefits to the economy from this policy will
be substantial. “This project will help the
government to implement this policy. This project can help Antigua and Barbuda
in its efforts at food security, and can also lead the way in tapping the
large export markets which lie on our doorsteps,” Minister Lovell outlined.
Ambassador Kato said that the government of Japan is pleased to support
Antigua and Barbuda’s national development plan aimed at achieving sustainable
economic development, industrial diversification and the redistribution of
socio-economic benefits for its people. “It
is with this in mind, that the Government of Japan is pleased to support the
request for assistance to realise the plan for the construction of a Fishery
Development Centre that would focus on a processing plant, the slipway and
boat/engine repair area, a management office, meeting room, fishermen locker,
parking lot, generator and hygienic laboratory,” Ambassador Kato outlined.
The project which is expected to be completed in 15 months will impact
positively on the fishing industry improving the work environment and enhance
and increase the fishery-related employment opportunities and income for the
people of Antigua and Barbuda. The country’s
Minister of Finance and the Economy Dr Errol Cort who was also present during
the signing ceremony said that he is pleased that the Japanese Company TOA has
been awarded the contract since they have agreed to sub-contract most of its
work to local contractors in Antigua and Barbuda.
“I am most pleased by that signal from TOA that our local contractors will
benefit significantly from this project. I am told that the initial stage will
involve divers, heavy duty operators and labour personnel who will benefit in
excess of twenty million EC dollars,” noted Dr. Cort
Dr. Cort also pointed out that the processing plant will meet very high
standards to serve not only the local but the international market which will
be beneficial to the country in a CSME scenario.
The total grant provided by the Japanese Government to support the island’s
fisheries development amounts to approximately EC$25 million.
Back...
Most popular
articles: viewed, printed and e-mailed
Printable
version
| 
