Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef of the Maldives held discussions with Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), to enhance their bilateral relationship and explore new avenues of cooperation.

During the meeting, Vice President Latheef expressed appreciation for the technical support provided to the Maldives by the WTO. He highlighted the government’s commitment to further cooperation and collaboration. The discussion additionally covered the need for restructuring Maldives’ debt and explored methods to augment foreign direct investment.

Vice President Latheef is currently in Geneva, Switzerland, participating in a high-level event commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Human Rights 75). The Maldives became a member of the WTO on 31 May 1995.

Source: https://corporatemaldives.com/the-maldives-and-wto-discuss-strengthening-relationship/

Fishermen in Bangladesh's southeastern Cox's Bazar district, which is situated along the Bay of Bengal, are now busy drying fish in the traditional way. In Bangladesh, mid-October to mid-February is the peak fish drying season when open-air drying using sun and wind has been done since ancient times. Nazirar Tek village under Cox’s Bazar district is the largest dried fish-producing village in the country, thousands have made temporary settlements for fish drying under the sun.

Locally known as "shutki palli," ( Dry fish village) meaning the place where dried fish is produced, Cox's Bazar produces reportedly  0.15 million tonnes of dried fish, meeting 85 percent of the country's demand. Md Rafiq Uddin, a local dry fish trader, told Xinhua recently that "Kutubdia para” in Nazirar Tek is the number one place of Cox's Bazar Sadar (sub-district). It is the country's largest dry fish hub with more than 40 000 families living there and dependent on the sea.

Locals always try to produce the finest dried fish, said the trader, adding that many shops have been established as tourists flocked here to purchase the products. Meanwhile, the locally-produced dried fish are popular not only in Bangladesh but also in other countries for its high quality and low price.

Md Kaiser is a dry fish trader whose family has been making dried fish for generations.

"We do not use chemicals in fish here, the quality of the fish is better in winter," he told Xinhua, adding that they sell dried fish in Chattogram, a large port city on the southeastern coast of Bangladesh, where the products will be sent to cities at home and abroad. Kaiser noted that this famed specialty has also won the favor of Chinese people who come to Bangladesh. "It's hoped that we can have more and more business with Chinese people," said Kaiser. 

Source: https://english.news.cn/20231206/2a2f290b892c48618db44ec57f018c11/c.html#:~:text=In%20Bangladesh%2C%20mid%2DOctober%20to,fish%20drying%20under%20the%20sun.

The European Union (EU) has pledged to provide EUR 6.375 million (around USD 7 million) grants to Cambodia to support reforms of its fisheries sector. The information was shared by EU Ambassador to Cambodia, Igor Driesmans, in a meeting here on December 4th with Dith Tina, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, during which they discussed a wide range of issues in a constructive manner including sustainable agriculture and fisheries.

The grants will be used to support key areas of the fisheries reform, such as monitoring, control and surveillance, flooded forest protection, conservation of marine fisheries, transfer of grants to community fisheries, research and food safety.

“Our partnership in the fisheries sector is large and strong, despite the immense challenges. We are keen and ready to support further the progress in the important field of agri-food safety in order to improve the quality of products produced by the private sector and consumed by Cambodians in the country, as well as support Cambodian processing establishments to meet regional and international markets’ demands. This could offer new market opportunities for Cambodia’s products and create jobs,” said Igor Driesmans.

Agriculture sector including fisheries and forestry are facing global challenges that continue to require strong partnership with all stakeholders – including the EU – to mitigate and adapt to its negative impacts and transform constraints into opportunities, said Tina.

As for fisheries sector, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is fully committed to supporting sustainable fisheries development in both inland and marine areas, through the whole value chain for the benefit of our fishermen, aquaculture farmers and entrepreneurs, as well as consumers, he underlined.

“We are committed to the protection and conservation of our aquatic habitats and resources,” said the MAFF minister.

Launched in 2019 as the most important programme ever for the EU to support the fisheries sector in a partner country and in Cambodia, CAPFISH Programme (EUR 112 million) is implemented by the Fisheries Administration attached to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, supporting all pillars of the current national strategy in fisheries until 2025.

Source: https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501401859/eu-provides-funds-for-cambodian-government-to-support-reform-of-fisheries-sector/