Third fisheries zone could be lucrative: investors

MALE, May 21 (HNS) -- Investors eyeing the new fisheries zone believe that, business may be very good in the area. The third fisheries zone, now open for bid, could be a lucrative zone, according to some entrepreneurs who have bought bid documents for the zone which covers some eight atolls in the south of the country. Haveeru learns that nearly 10 parties have bought bid documents for the zone which include the North and South Ari atolls, and Vaavu, Meemu, Faafu, Dhaalu, Thaa and Laamu atolls. According to one potential investor, who had bought a bid document for Rf5,000 ($=12.85), the main problem of the zone is its vastness and poor fish catch. "In actuality, it is not that that fishery is not good, but as this is a major tourism zone, the number of active fishermen is very low. However, if fishermen can be convinced that they can generate good income, they would be motivated to venture into this zone," he said. The main aim of investors in this zone should be to "revive the fisheries" among the people in those atolls, he said. "Then one (investors) could get a good income from the zone," he said. Another businessman said that as the zone is extensive, investors could operate successful ventures. He said that this is a "golden opportunity" for the business community and that fishing is the "future of the country." The last date for submission of bid documents for zone three is June 16.