In bid to boost exports, govt sets 120-day deadline for roadmap to expand shrimp farming

In a bid to boost shrimp farming and bolster exports, the Pakistani government has set a 120-day deadline for a roadmap to improve the sector, according to a sub-committee established by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The deadline is part of a 24-month implementation and review process. The meeting, chaired by Maritime Affairs Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, brought together provincial fisheries officials and federal institutions to develop a coordinated strategy to transform aquaculture into a competitive, export-oriented industry.

The sub-committee will prepare a comprehensive report based on verified data and stakeholder recommendations, identifying bottlenecks in the value chain and proposing measures to improve production, processing, and export competitiveness. Seven technical working groups and a projection and costing cell have been approved to prepare 14 reports and export projections.

An initial 14-day action plan was also adopted, requiring participating institutions to complete their assigned tasks within the stipulated deadlines. Punjab and Sindh's fisheries departments, along with representatives from the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan and other ministries, attended the meeting. Sindh's fisheries secretary highlighted a feasibility study for a 3,500-acre shrimp farm and emphasized the need to address challenges in value addition and traceability.

Punjab's Aquaculture and Fisheries Secretary announced efforts to introduce shrimp farming in salinity-affected areas and noted the importance of an effective value chain for both exports and local consumption. The next meeting will review identified bottlenecks and available baseline data to promote shrimp farming.