Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries inspects Barka fishing port project

Oman’s Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Dr Hamed Said Al Oufi inspected the course of phases of the Barka Fishing Port project on Sunday.

The fishing port in the wilayat of Barka is one of the partnership projects with the private sector represented by the Falcon Tourism Investment Company of Al Siyabi.

The project provides basic services for the fisheries sector and other investment and commercial services that attract investment in the port.

The project comes after the recent completion of marine construction works and infrastructure development at the port, which was implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.

A statement issued by the ministry said: “The government is seeking a partnership with the private sector in the implementation of important strategic projects. The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries earlier launched a public bid to invest the fishing port in Barka in to allow the private sector to invest and develop the port and its management and operation, ice factories, packing and processing plants, fish workshops, maintenance workshops, boats, restrooms and store.”

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries introduced public bidding to invest in the fishing port to provide an opportunity for private investment and port development, management and operation of the sector as well as providing fishery activities.

The first phase of the implementation of the project by the company to provide basic services to serve fishing sector in the country, which includes the establishment of a fish market with the latest technical, health and safety specifications.

It will also include infrastructure necessary to serve these facilities in addition to providing umbrellas and stores for fishermen.

The fishing port project in Barka is the culmination of a plan of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries in the building management system and economic operation of fishing ports based on the application of the best economic return investment practices, the ministry added.

“It will provide job opportunities for Omani youth, in addition to finding additional alternatives to income for citizens during their work as well as providing recreational trips such diving and watching coral reefs,” it further said.

The ministry pointed out that direct investment in fishing ports, will enhance state revenues and contribute to raising the contribution of the fisheries sector in the gross domestic product.