A massive boost to fishing and livestock industry in Sur and Ras al Hadd has been initiated with a promise of more than RO500,000 by Oman LNG Development Foundation. 

An agreement signing ceremony, between the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and Oman LNG Development Foundation, for financing of livestock shelters in Sur and a loading facility or ramp for fishermen in Ras al Hadd, took place on Sunday.  

The company has agreed to fund RO285,500 for livestock shelters in Sur while RO250,000 has been earmarked for a boat ramp facility in Khour al Hajar, in Ras al Hadd.  

The livestock project will contribute to the development of modern animal husbandry by collecting them in one place so as to facilitate the provision of veterinary services. This, in turn, will be reflected in doubling the income of breeders.

It will also contribute to increasing the productivity of the red meat sector in the Governorate of South Sharqiyah. 

The ramp project aims to develop and support the fisheries sector in South Sharqiyah. The project will serve about 946 fishermen and 616 boats, in addition to about 166 vehicles transporting and marketing fish. 

The Governorate of South Sharqiyah is considered one of the most important governorates for its high volume of fish production.  

Oman LNG stated that this will promote commerce and tourism in the region. ‘The agreements reflect our strong commitment towards touching lives,’ it said. 

The livestock project will help develop animal sheltering techniques, support breeders and their families, fostering barns and enhance food security. The loading facility construction would improve landing of fish, provide full services to the fisheries sector as well as help in turtle nest protection, it added. 

The agreements were signed by H E Dr Ahmed bin Nasser al Bakri, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries for Agriculture and acting Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries and Dr Amor al Matani, CEO, Oman LNG Development Foundation.