The PNG National Fisheries Authority (NFA) Managing Director and Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) Chairman Mr. Sylvester Pokajam and Delegates including the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) undertook an Investment Mission in Fisheries to China at the invitation of the Shanghai Fisheries General Corporation Group (SFGC) last week.

During this mission, cordial discussions and dialogue for investment by officials and industry representatives supported by the Government of the People's Republic of China to invest in PNA Member Countries in the areas of onshore processing, training, fishing, general coastal and aquaculture fisheries support and boat building support were discussed. 

The PNA, PNG and WCPFC delegation also paid courtesy visits to other fish processing factories and ship building and maintenance facilities in Dalian, Zhoushan and Ningbo during the visit. The delegation were particularly encouraged by commitments to pursue market access, capital funding of equity by PNA Parties in investments, grant and loan financing, enhancing capacity in surveillance and enforcement and other cooperative initiatives.

In his concluding remarks, Mr. Pokajam said that he welcomed the Government of China and the Chinese Fishing Industry to venture with their PNA partners into real development partnerships in order to enable PNA countries participate in sustainable development and management of the PNA fisheries resources for economically meaningful and participatory mutual benefits.

--- Ends © NFA, PNG 2011