KATHMANDU, AUGUST 9
Bangladesh has expressed interest in expanding cooperation with Nepal in fisheries and aquaculture, including through technology transfer, joint research, training and private-sector investment.
Speaking at the inaugural session of the First Annual General Assembly and Convention of the Nepal Fisheries Development Association (NFDA) in Chitwan on Friday, Bangladesh Ambassador Shafiqur Rahman highlighted his country’s progress in the fisheries sector and proposed areas for bilateral collaboration.
Agriculture, Forests and Environment Minister Gita Kumari Chaudhary attended the event as chief guest, while Ambassador Rahman was the special guest.
Rahman said Bangladesh had emerged as one of the world’s leading fisheries producers through coordinated policies, scientific research, private-sector participation and the efforts of fish farmers and fishers.
He attributed the country’s progress to modern hatcheries, expanded aquaculture, community-based management of open-water fisheries, conservation initiatives, improved feed and disease management, technological innovation and collaboration among the government, academia and private sector.
Highlighting the ecological links between Nepal and Bangladesh through river systems originating in the Himalayas, Rahman said fisheries could become an important area of cooperation between the two countries.
He proposed adapting Bangladesh’s open-water fisheries enhancement model to Nepal’s wetlands and reservoirs, along with cooperation in post-harvest processing and value addition, technical knowledge exchange, joint research, training and exchange of researchers, scientists and fisheries experts.
He also called for greater private-sector partnerships and investment, as well as institutional cooperation among universities, research institutions and fisheries associations.
Addressing the growing impact of climate change, Rahman stressed the need for climate-smart and sustainable aquaculture to protect aquatic ecosystems, conserve biodiversity and ensure responsible management of fisheries resources.
Minister Chaudhary welcomed the proposed areas of cooperation and expressed Nepal’s readiness to work with Bangladesh in the fisheries sector.
Rahman congratulated the NFDA on its first annual convention and wished the association success in its future activities.