The government may lift the self-imposed ban on seafood exports to European Union (EU) with effect from August 1, 2005. This will, however, depend on the development of a separate portion of the Karachi Fish Harbour, to be equipped with modern facilities, development of the marked area for EU, and up-gradation of fishing boats by July 31, 2005.
The Marine Fisheries Department (MFD), after undertaking the required inspection of improvement work and boats, will go ahead with lifting the ban, sources told Business Recorder on Wednesday.
This has also been conveyed to EU, they said, through a report on Tuesday, with details of development of a separate portion of the harbour for EU ,aswell as a timeframe to lift the ban, in case the required work is completed by that time.
As part of development and improvement work, around 50 fishing boats have been upgraded for fisheries products for EU, with the assistance of Pakistan Seafood Industries Association (PSIA), and some 50 more would be ready by next month.
"The ball is now in Sindh government's court - how quickly its relevant departments complete the improvement work to pave the way to lift the ban - sources remarked.
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