PM MARAPE LAUNCH SAMARAI MURUA FIRST FISHERIES SEAFOOD EXPORT
THE Samarai Murua District under the leadership of local MP Isi Henry Leonard, has achieved one of its visions to creating income earning opportunities for the people through the Coastal Fishing Program in partnership with Thailand business partners.
Last week, the Prime Minister Hon, James Marape officiated and launched the first fisheries export shipment overseas to Thailand.
In his recent address during the launch last week, Local MP Isi Leonard stated that the Coastal Fishing Program is one of the key programs under the Economic Stimulus Program strategy that was implemented by a technical team in the district, to look at the best options to create income earning opportunities for the people.
He says the partnership arrangement between DDA business arm (Kekeisi Investment Limited) and Thailand investor to undertake commercial fishing and export program to support local fishermen and women has come to fruition with the launch of the first export shipment destined for Thailand.
In November last year, Prime Minister James Marape launched the Fishing Vessel Kekeisi 1 and last week, the Prime Minister launched the first fisheries export from the district.
MP Isi Leonard says this program is creating direct impact by supporting the local fishermen and women groups contributing to the growth of MSMEs in the District and Province.
He says the program targets mostly women, youths and majority of the unemployed people who will be actively involved in this project.
MP Isi Leornard further says, as a vast maritime District, there is a huge potential in fisheries, both at commercial and subsistence fishing, and their plan is to produce and export seafood and fishery products out of Samarai Murua and Milne Bay to international markets.
“We have arrived at this juncture to achieving this goal and we are confident with the level of support that we are receiving from the government stakeholders especially the National Fisheries Authority. The National Fisheries Authority is supporting and assisting in the development of the Samarai Murua Coastal Fisheries Project. Fishing license has been granted to operate commercial fishery in the district,” MP Isi Leonard said.
“The district’s remote location presents very difficult challenges but our people are resilient. We see our problems as economic opportunities amidst our geo-maritime challenges. We want to take advantage of these challenges to explore business and economic opportunities for socioeconomic development. We are determined.
Meantime, the other 2 key programs under the Economic Stimulus Program strategy,
- Carbon Trade and Eco Tourism Development in partnership with Israeli and French investors.
- Alluvial Gold mining and hard rock mining prospects in partnership with OTML and Israeli investors
