Prime Minister Najib Mikati sponsored the launch of the Ministry of Agriculture's "Plan to Develop the Fishing and Aquaculture Sector" at the Grand Serail today. The event was attended by Agriculture Minister Abbas Al-Hajj Hassan, Finance Minister Youssef Khalil, and Communications Minister Johnny Karam, as well as MPs Fares Boustani, Fadi Alama, and Ayoub Hamid, along with several ambassadors, heads of diplomatic missions, international organizations, and economic figures.
In his speech, the Prime Minister stated: "In the midst of the ongoing Israeli war on southern Lebanon, and the continuous violations of our land, air, and sea, some may think that discussing a plan to uplift the fishing sector and develop marine fishing is untimely. However, the diligent monitoring of this sector proves that Lebanon has historically been renowned for its fishing ports, which were among the first in the region, and that the fish wealth in Lebanon is an important vital economic resource, although it requires care and planning. Additionally, Lebanon has some of the most important shores on the Mediterranean Sea and is rich in biological diversity, but this wealth is absent or lost among pollutants, neglect, and lack of planning, predominantly due to excessive spontaneity in production, which needs prior and studied planning."
He added: "From this standpoint, I commend the efforts of the Minister of Agriculture who wanted to launch this strategy from the Grand Serail as a direct message of support to all workers in this sector. What we have learned in this meeting confirms that the fish sector is a wealth that needs to be preserved, developed, and enhanced. This plan undoubtedly aims to open the door for investment in a new sector and drive capital towards healthy investment in renewing and developing the marine fishing sector, while also emphasizing the importance of a healthy and sound partnership between the public and private sectors."
He further said: "It is also beneficial to work on the sustainability of this sector by inviting all countries in the region for partnerships between sectors and investments in Lebanon, as we are confident in the potential for integration concerning Arab food security between Lebanon and other friendly countries in the region."
Agriculture Minister
The Minister of Agriculture, in his speech, said: "The launch of today’s plan comes as the third objective of the Ministry of Agriculture and within its strategy, which focuses on digitizing and mechanizing the sector. The first of its kind was the farmers' registration, which accurately counts all farmers over the national territory. The second was launching the national plan to uplift the wheat sector and localize soft wheat within the government's strategy to lead the national economy towards productivity away from reliance on imports. This plan has launched steadily and with determination towards its desired goal of self-sufficiency, even if it takes time. The third is today’s plan, which brings together the Lebanese public and private sectors, as well as Arab and foreign entities, backed by a law for marine fishing that assures investments, which I urge to be large and substantial."
He said: "The marine fishing sector is very promising, and we have large commercial quantities of various types of fish in our national waters, which exceed the area of the nation itself by twofold. Our goal at the Ministry of Agriculture is to ensure our food security in terms of crops and livestock, despite the small areas available for agriculture; however, optimal use is what makes a difference. Yes, Lebanon as you know it is still the same, capable, despite all difficulties, with the determination of its men and leaders to rise and triumph over its internal crises of economic, social, and political nature, and it will undoubtedly overcome the brutal Zionist enemy that aggresses not only against our agricultural lands, our civilians, our children, and our women, but also against humanity as a whole and against international law in its entirety."
He concluded: "Again, thank you Mr. Prime Minister for your sponsorship and absolute support for the agriculture sector and farmers. Thank you to the President of the Parliament, my brother President Nabih Berri, for his support and complete nurturing of the agricultural sector. Thanks also to the supporting bodies, assisting organizations, and local and international partners, and for the trust that we managed to restore some of our bridges, while some others await the dawn of a new sun and new joint projects."
