1. On Sat 30 Mar 2019, CG and DCG Apipan Cheecharoen with CG’s Secretary Mubeen Ansari had a meeting at STOFA’s office at Fish Harbour, Karachi with Mr. Sarwar Siddiqui, Patron of STOFA; Mr. Habib Ullah Khan, President of STOFA; Mr. Abdul Karim Turk, Senior Vice President and association’s members.

Overview

          2. CG informed STOFA what he discussed with Sindh Minister of Livestock & Fishery on 13 Mar 2019 and recalled what he and STOFA discussed on 22 Mar 2019 how Pakistani fisheries has been important to Thailand, which exported more than 80% of Pakistani marine products to Thailand.

          3. STOFA informed CG that Pakistan exports to Thailand all kind of frozen marine products: fish, crap, squid, cotton fish, ribbon fish, tuna, octopus, lobster, oyster, shellfish, cephalopod, etc.

          4. STOFA briefed CG on salient points: the Pakistani Govt does not allow at-sea transshipment and fixes the minimum mesh size of 50 mm for fish and 25 mm for shrimp hunting. STOFA stressed that foreign fishing vessels are not allowed to catch fish in Pakistan exclusive economic zone. Rather, STOFA encouraged foreigners to buy Pakistani marine products at habour and join business partnerships (51/49 model - 51 for locals/49 for foreigners) with Pakistani businessmen in inland marine processing, instead.

Suggestion

           5. STOFA proposed a partnership with Thailand in areas that could improve Pakistani marine industry and areas that could create valued added to its fresh marine: e.g. fish canning, marine processing as well as upgrading Pakistani existing marine factories. In addition, STOFA needs Thailand to look into and invest in its coastal fishing and aquaculture including fish feeding, fish farming and shrimp farming.

           6. STOFA suggested that the cooperation with Thailand could start from tuna in several areas such as catching (longline fishing), freezing, canning, training, processing, and others that can add value to its fresh tuna industry. 

           7. STOFA requested Thai authorities to remove its 5% import duty imposed on Pakistani fish and seafood products. STOFA wished to learn about proposed Thailand-Pakistan FTA and wondered if it could obtain a FTA product offer list. STOFA believed that when Thailand- Pakistan FTA becomes effective, exported Pakistani fish and seafood will not be subject to any Thai tariffs. In replying to FTA, CG informed STOFA that Thailand has been waiting for a reply from Pakistani side, for Thailand has already submitted its final list of products to Pakistan since December 2018.

           8. STOFA mentioned that 5 to 10-year-multiple-entry visa and visa on arrival for Pakistani businessmen should be considered so that Pakistani who travels to Thailand frequently can spend less time in obtaining Thai visa and does not have to come to the Thai Consulate every time that he/she wants to go to Thailand.

           9. STOFA postulated that a frequent visit between concerned authorities in the two countries would enhance their further fishery cooperation. STOFA recalled that one and a half years ago Thai Overseas Fisheries Association (TOFA) sent a delegation to Pakistan and hoped that such a visit should be enhanced again by CG.

Observation

          10. STOFA’s view on Pakistan’s desire in advancing its fishing sector coincides with the idea of Sindh Minister and high-ranking officers of Livestock & Fishery Ministry.

          11. Pakistan eyes Thailand for its fishing development because Thailand has shown a good progress in fishing sector with modern fishery processing industry.

          12. In term of fishing industry, Pakistan does not only export fish to Thailand but also imports fishing equipment such as fishing net from Khon Kaen Province, Thailand.

          13. Before the end of the discussion, a 30-minute factory tour to a fish exporter, Maxima International, was arranged. In the factory, raw material caught fresh from the Arabian Sea is processed on land in its processing facility. Maxima International has annual exports of over USD 15 Million. Its major exports are to Thailand, Malaysia, China, Indonesia, Canada, Kuwait, Vietnam, Japan, Korea, Egypt and the Philippines.             

Further actions

            14. CG informed STOFA that the Consulate is equipped to facilitate visas to STOFA delegation and will notify Thailand to assist them for business matching.

            15. CG advised that the Consulate would be looking into new projects in next fiscal year: if resources are available, exchange delegations between the two sides can be organized.