New shipping policy to promote Blue Economy in Pakistan: Ali Zaidi

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Ali Haider Zaidi has said that the new national shipping policy was aimed at promoting Blue Economy in the country.

In a statement, Zaidi said, “we will overcome challenges and deliver our best realizing and maximizing the huge potential of Blue Economy in the country.”

The minister further said that the government is moving towards all potentials sectors step by step and the Shipping Policy announced recently. He said that deep-sea Fishing Policy would be announced by mid of next month.

Currently, the fish and seafood exports of Pakistan are limited to $450 million only, but it can be enhanced to $ 2.5 billion if we have a proper deep sea fishing policy.

Earlier, PM Imran Khan had congratulated the Ministry of Maritime Affairs for finalizing a new and dynamic “Blue Economy Policy” aimed at revitalizing the shipping sector.

The premier tweeted that the new policy would help save valuable foreign exchange of Pakistan. “We will ensure Pakistan fulfills its enormous maritime po­­tential,” PM Khan expressed the commitment over harnessing the largely untapped sector.

I congratulate @MaritimeGovPK for finalising a new & dynamic #BlueEconomy policy to revitalise our shipping sector, saving Pak valuable ForEX & creating more employment opportunities for our seafarers. We will ensure Pakistan fulfills its enormous maritime potential.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) August 15, 2020

His tweet highlighted that the potentials of Blue Economy include creating more employment opportunities for the country’s seafarers.