For Malaysian aquaculture industry it is a win-win situation as a Saudi company singed a deal to buy large amounts of fresh water fish from it. Koperasi Permodalan Kuala Krai Bhd (KPKKB) has signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) with Aero Supplies and Consulting Pt. of Saudi Arabia for the export of freshwater Patin fish. It is told that the project is part of the East Coast Economic Regions (ECER) efforts to boost the country’s freshwater aquaculture industry.
According to the ECER the MoA includes the purchase of 20-40 containers of Patin per month from KPKKB and will generate an income of between RM80-100 million per year. KPKKB’s chairman, Datuk Seri Abu Raihan Wan Jaafar informed that the Patin fish-rearing project was started with the cooperation of the Kelantan Department of Fisheries and to date 140 ponds have been identified for use.
The MoA was signed between the chairman of KPKKB, Datuk Seri Abu Raihan Wan Jaafar, and Aero Supplies chairman, Abdul Rahman Ali Al-Khalaf. Abu Raihan told that they will invest between RM15-RM20 million to build a factory to process the Patin in pallets not later than the end of this year. He explained that this business deal would offer better economic prospects and generate additional income for the Kuala Krai residents who are mostly rubber tapers.
Abu Raihan also said that this venture will open job opportunities for 400-500 workers at the site. He added that KPKKB would work on ventures for black tilapia fish, prawns, and chicken in stages for the export market.
