Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday urged the new generation to come forward for establishing fish processing industries, aiming to increase the number of export items and earn foreign exchange.
“We can process the fish or we can produce various types of products from fish and export those… any country in the world will import those. I think that the new generation will come forward further to set up such industries that will create employment opportunities for them and reduce unemployment,” she said.
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The prime minister said this while formally inaugurating National Fisheries Week 2022 with the theme “Nirapad Machhe Bhorbo Desh, Bangabandhur Bangladesh” (the country will be filled with safe fish, Bangabandhu's Bangladesh).
The program was held at Bangabandhu International Conference Center where the Prime Minister joined virtually from her official residence, Ganabhaban.
This year’s Fisheries Week will be celebrated on July 23-29.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina releasing minnow in a lake inside of Ganabhaban on the occasion of National Fish Week 2022 on Sunday, July 24, 2022 PIDRegarding the 100 economic zones across the country, she requested the young generation to set up their industries there.
She also stressed the need for establishing food and fish processing industries in the economic zones.
The prime minister put emphasis on utilizing the Haor areas of the country for fish production.
“The Haor areas of the country have immense potential not only in producing rice but also fish. For that purpose we have set up fish landing stations in various parts of Haors across the country,” she said.
She mentioned that the government has built a fish landing station in Netrokona while work is going on to build fish landing stations in Sunamganj, Kishoreganj and Sylhet.
She asked all to utilize their natural water bodies and reservoirs in spite of size for cultivating fish, crabs, snails and oysters.
“If we can do that there will no scarcity for us, rather we will be able to include new items in our export basket,” she said.
Hasina said fish protein is the safest of all proteins.
She mentioned that in Bangladesh the per capita fish protein intake is 62 grams per day, while the country is producing 62.5 grams of fish protein daily.
“I think this is a remarkable achievement of the country,” she added.
The premier came down heavily on the critics who say that the government has ruined everything.
“Let them say whatever they want. But, we have to do our tasks and move Bangladesh towards prosperity. The country must go ahead as the people are always with us and we have trust in them,” she said.
Earlier, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina released fish fry in Ganabhaban Lake.
Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim, Agriculture Minister Abdur Razzaque and Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Muhammad Yamin Chowdhury also spoke at the program.
Earlier, on behalf of the prime minister, Agriculture Minister Abdur Razzaque Handed over the National Fisheries Award among the recipients.
PM Hasina also released several fish fries in Ganabhaban Lake.
A documentary on the development of fishery sector was also screened at the program.