Fish harbour management: CSF asks Sindh to form private sector firm

The Competitiveness Support Fund (CSF) has suggested the Sindh government to form a private sector management company to run the operation of Karachi Port Harbour (KPH) to ensure proper handling of fish and meet the international standard to avoid ban on its export to Europe and other destinations.
CSF experts held a series of meeting with the stakeholders of fish sector and on the basis of their suggestions prepared an action plan for improvement in this area. Its focal point is how to improve fish quality and introduce a culture of value-addition at KPH. The plan suggested radical restructuring of the ownership and management of KFH by establishing a private-sector management company to run its operations
It recommends rehabilitation of the port infrastructure for water supply, sewage treatment and auctions halls to facilitate fish trading. It also recommends upgrading of fishing boats and an overall reduction in the number of boats. It calls for training for the fish exporters for meeting international quality standards and adding value to the catch.
The plan said that by putting in place the action plan Pakistan earning in terms of catch would increase around $35 million besides improving quality to get better price and reduction of trash fish used for animal feed at loss-making prices. CSF said proper implementation of the action plan would help Pakistan make up loss of $60 million it incurring on exports of fish to Europe annually.
Sources said CSF will continue discussions with the government of Sindh (the owner and operator of the KFH) and the ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock on the subject.
CSF and the Sindh government signed an agreement for improvement in KPH operations and processing and export of fish. Pakistan is facing difficulty in fish export. EU banned import of fish from Pakistan to European countries on the basis of poor conditions at KPH. Its plan to involve CSF for improvement of fish handling, processing and exports shipment at KPH is a part of a long term planning.