XN000022-1989-11-21 — Page 2

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21,

1989

HK PROVIDES SCOPE FOR INCREASING FISH MEAL TRADE

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THERE IS A LOT OF SCOPE FOR INCREASING TRADE IN FISH MEAL AND OILS THROUGH HONG KONG, WHICH HAS EXCELLENT PORT FACILITIES, DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE, SAID (TUESDAY) EVENING.

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DR LEE WAS ADDRESSING MORE THAN 200 DELEGATES FROM 32 COUNTRIES ATTENDING THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 29TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FISH MEAL MANUFACTURERS ((ARMM) AT THE ABERDEEN MARINA CLUB.

"ALTHOUGH HONG KONG WAS NOT BEEN A MAJOR MARKET FOR FISH MEAL AND FISH OIL PRODUCTS, THERE IS NEVERTHELESS A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF ENTREPOT TRADE, WITH THE EXPORT AND RE-EXPORT OF FISH MEAL IN 1988 AMOUNTING TO 24,000 TONNES VALUED AT SOME US$15 MILLION," POINTED OUT.

DR LEE

FISH MEAL

NOTING THAT HONG KONG RETAINED SOME 5,000 TONNES OF AND 12 TONNES OF FISH LIVER OILS FROM IMPORT LAST YEAR, HE SUGGESTED THAT IAFMM MEMBERS SHOULD STEP UP THEIR MARKETING EFFORTS IN HONG KONG.

FISH MEAL IS A PRODUCT OBTAINED BY DRYING FISH, OR WASTE FISH, SURPLUS TO HUMAN FOOD REQUIREMENTS. THE PRODUCT IS A RICH SOURCE OF PROTEIN AND IS MAINLY FED TO POULTRY, AND PIGS, AND FISH FARMED BY MEANS OF AQUACULTURE.

THE TAPMM HAS 15 MEMBER COUNTRIES WHICH REPRESENT ALL MAJOR PRODUCERS AND EXPORTERS OF FISH MEAL IN THE WORLD, AND HAS BEEN CO-ORDINATING AN EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION BETWEEN MEMBERS ON TRADE AND PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT FOR ALMOST 30 YEARS, THE ASSOCIATION WORKS CLOSELY WITH THE UNITED NATIONS FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANISATION BASED IN ROME.

MORE THAN SIX MILLION TONNES OF FTSH MEAL. ARE PRODUCED ANNUALLY FROM 30 MILLION TONNES OF FISH. WHICH IS ABOUT ONE-THIRD OF THE WORLD CATCH. OF THESE SIX MILLION TONNES PRODUCED, ABOUT HALF TRADED. ONE MILLION TONNES OF FISH MEAL IS IMPORTED EAST, PRINCIPALLY INTO CHINA AND TAIWAN.

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INTO THE FAR

HONG KONG HAS BEEN CHOSEN AS THE VENUE FOR THE 1AFMM'S ANNUAL CONFERENCE THIS YEAR BECAUSE OF ITS ACTUAL AND POTENTIAL MARKET FOR FISH MEAL AND FISH OIL.

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IN ADDITION. BY VIRTUE OF ITS STRATEGIC GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION, HONG KONG IS THE CENTRE OF THE FAR FAST, AND A GATEWAY TO CHINA. IT IS CERTAINLY A SPRINGBOARD FOR BIG BUSINESS IN THE REGION; ESPECIALLY FOR CHINA, WHICH IS CURRENTLY THE WORLD'S LARGEST FISH MEAL.

DR LEE NOTED.

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IMPORTER OF

/HE WISHED