HOUSE OF THE WEEK
An abundance of space at FMI City
CERTAINLY, space is not a problem in this house – once you get there. Over the Hlaing River, 45 minutes from downtown, there is a large one-storey house in a big compound waiting for someone ready to trade time for space. ...moreFisheries exports falling short of target, again
DESPITE increased volume in some categories, income from fisheries exports is down compared to last year, according to figures issued by the Department of Fisheries.
As of the end of the third quarter of the financial year in November, fisheries exports had brought in about US$330 million, amounting to only 45 percent of the export target for this year.
Export of crabs reached $23 million, eels $13 million and freshwater fish $68 million.
“The export of soft-shell crabs exceeded last year’s total by 355 tonnes, worth $1.7 million, with Belgium emerging as a possible market,” said a DOF spokesperson.
The mismatch between extra volume and smaller receipts is down to the global recession, which has depressed prices.
Seaborne exports out of Yangon saw an increase of 18,000 tonnes over 2008-2009 financial year, but brought in $26 million less, while cross-border exports through Muse saw a decrease of 7000 tonnes and $12 million, Myawaddy a decrease of 2200 tonnes and $6 million, while Myeik saw an increase of 13,000 tonnes and $10 million, and Kawthaung was up by 6000 tonnes and $3 million.
The biggest overall earner was normal trade through Yangon’s ports or via air; these have totalled $205 million for the year to date.
Exports earnings through Muse amounted to $41 million, Myawaddy sales accounted for $10 million, Kawthaung made $13 million, Myeik $51 million, Maungdaw $3 million, Thandwe about $1 million and Sittwe exports claimed about $4 million in revenue.
“If the checkpoints from Sittwe, Thandwe, Maungdaw and Tamu are accounted for, up to the end of November, exports registered an increase of 25,000 tonnes in volume, but with a decrease in income of $38 million,” said the spokesperson, adding that the total included $25 million worth of shrimps and the rest of seawater fish.
Cultured freshwater fish like rohu saw an increase to 15,000 tonnes and $4 million, and catla of 710 tonnes and $400,000. For 2008-2009 financial year, the export amount reached $483 million.
