India is the seventh largest sea food exporter in the world: Sitharaman

Vishakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) [India], Sept.24 (ANI): India is the seventh largest sea food exporter in the world, said the Minister of State for Commerce (independent charge) Nirmala Seetharaman on the sidelines of the 20th edition of the three-day India International Seafood Show (IISS), which is being organised in Vishakhapatnam. "I think the stature of the industry today is largely because of the entrepreneurship being shown by businesses and aqua producers. So, I do give them due credit, otherwise India would not be the seventh largest sea food exporter," Sitharaman said. Organised by the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) and Seafood Exporters Association of India (SEAI), the event aims to promote 'safe and sustainable Indian aquaculture' along with other technological advances and sustainable practices followed in capture and culture fisheries, and ensure quality of seafood produced for both domestic and export markets. Information and Broadcasting Minister M.Venkaiah Naidu and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu were the other dignitaries present during the event. It is the second time that Visakhapatnam is hosting the biennial event. The three-day event will focus on diversification of species, quality control, value-addition and augmenting of infrastructure to improve exports. India exported quality seafood provisionally worth USD 4.7 billion in 2015-16 and is expected to achieve a target of USD 10 billion by 2020.This revolves around increased aquaculture production with emphasis on safety and sustainability. The show will be thrown open to the public on September 25. (ANI)