29/2006 March 28, 2006, Vienna, Austria
- The OPEC Fund for International Development has approved a grant of US$100,000 in support of a capacity-building project aimed at strengthening the fisheries sector in Djibouti. Spearheaded by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the initiative will help raise incomes and improve living conditions for some 18,000 people working in the fisheries industry.
Djibouti is facing a number of constraints, such as low agricultural activity due to insufficient water resources, thereby necessitating the import of food, and high unemployment rates. The country is endowed, however, with a 372 km-long coastline that supports a number of fishing industries. Much of the sector is under-developed, particularly in terms job creation and income generation, due to the lack of updated technologies.
UNIDO, in cooperation with the government of Djibouti, has formulated a project to help enhance the productivity of fish-related industries through the provision of technical assistance.
Envisaged activities will include: reviewing and assessing fishing regulations; training fish inspectors in modern quality-control methods; implementing a food safety and quality assurance system through the provision of training to fisherman, fish handlers, processors, sellers and other involved in the industry; helping carry out appropriate technologies to increase the shelf life of fish products; and, establishing linkages with market outlets.
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