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Minister of Fisheries Matai Seremaiah. (Photo: Vanuatu Government)
Tuna plant restarts operations thanks to Chinese funding
 VANUATU
Tuesday, May 22, 2018, 02:40 (GMT + 9)
A tuna fish processing plant, located on the outskirts of Port Vila, which has been inactive for over a decade, is to restart production thanks to the USD 9.01 million dollar funding from a Chinese company.
The funding deal, signed between the company and Vanuatu Government, was the result of tough negotiations with the Chinese, as it was indicated by Minister of Fisheries Matai Seremaiah.
The Daily Post newspaper reported the money would be used by the SinoVan Company to upgrade the plant to the point where it can go into operation.
The plant was built 14 years ago but had not been able to operate because there had not been a suitable wharf.
The Minister pointed out the importance for all the tuna to be unloaded at the plant to be caught by Vanuatu registered fishing vessels and Vanuatu-flagged vessels instead of those from Fiji.
“The Ministry that I am in charge of intends to bring in all our fishing boats to offload their catches in country for us to enjoy economic benefits from this industry”, the minister said.
“Let me make it clear that so much tonnage of fish leaves our shores for processing abroad and our country is paid a minimal fee for all the catch that is exported,” he claimed.
Vanuatu produces 8,000 tonnes of tuna annually, which increases to 15,000 tonnes with other fish, earning VUV 500 million (USD 4.5 million).
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