The Ministry of Agriculture and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) recently signed an agreement to develop the national fishing industry. The deal, signed by Saudi Agriculture Minister Fahd Balghunaim and KAUST President Professor Choon Fong Shih, will take advantage of KAUST’s expertise in improving the sustainability of fishing resources.
According to the deal, the two parties will work jointly to remove obstacles facing investments in fishing and how to preserve marine life.
Commenting on the deal, the minister said KAUST was an ideal candidate for cooperation with the Agriculture Ministry due to its location at the Red Sea coast and its research on food development, which is also part of the ministry’s core work.
He said the agreement comes as part of the ministry’s efforts to meet the Kingdom’s needs for fish, as current quantities are limited and there is a great demand for imports.
KAUST’s expertise will help the expansion of fish farming enormously, the minister added.
The ministry and King Saud University (KSU) signed earlier in this month a SR 187 million deal to set up a center for research and development of sustainable agriculture to promote agricultural production in Saudi Arabia using the most efficient practices and technology.
KAUST in deal to develop fisheries
