By Majaha Nkonyane | 2018-07-19
THE Republic of China (ROC) on Taiwan has committed to helping Eswatini grow its fisheries sector.
This was voiced out by that country’s Vice Minister of Economic Affairs Mei-Hua-Wang who was speaking at Royal Swazi Sun Hotel during the Taiwan, Eswatini and Mozambique agricultural and fisheries cooperation conference.
This conference was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs Chief Mgwagwa Gamedze, Minister of Natural Resources and Energy Jabulile Mashwama and the Minister of Agriculture Moses Vilakati. Representatives from the business community in Taiwan and Eswatini also attended the conference, which was a first of its kind.
Wang described Taiwan as quite active in the trade of ornamental fish.
“I am positive that your enterprises will find some of our delegates to share with you on how to cultivate as well as to combine technology. So, Taiwan’s industries strength is not only for IT and ICT industries but for fisheries too,” he said.
Adding, the vice minister said: “My job is to improve bilateral cooperation relations, so we chose this specific area to cooperate with you.
“Taiwan business people expect to have some more engagement with you, if there is potential, both of our governments will think about how to push forward to enhance our economic ties”.
In addition, the vice minister said Taiwan and Eswatini had already signed an Export Credit Agency (ECA) in which fishery cooperation was an important aspect.
“Among our delegates, there are some very big buyers and enterprises, who would like to cooperate with you further,” he affirmed.
Making her presentation, Phumzile Mhlanga from the ministry of agriculture said the country has about 450 family fish ponds which were all operational.
She described the country’s fisheries industry as being on small-scale basis. Mhlanga disclosed that the ministry had only begun constructing fish hatcheries after identifying the need for commercial fish farming.
She explained that the country has only 52 fish species, which limit the potential to commercialise this sector.
“Eswatini does not have big water body which is why fishing is done on a freshwater capture fishery system,” she said.
Mhlanga went on to point out challenges that the country faces with regard to the fisheries industry which include: lack of investment in commercial fish farming, lack of investment finance, high capital costs, no processing facilities and climate change.
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