A delegation of high-level officials, headed by Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Parshottam Rupala, along with Minister of State Dr L. Murugan, is set to visit Norway from August 21st to 24th, 2023. The delegation will also include the Joint Secretary (Marine Fisheries) and other senior officers from the Department of Fisheries.
The primary aim of the visit is to enhance the bilateral collaboration between India and Norway within the realms of fisheries and aquaculture, in alignment with the Memorandum of Understanding inked by both nations in March 2010.
During the visit, the delegation will engage in bilateral conversations with key Norwegian officials, including the Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Policy, Bjørnar Selnes Skjæran, Kristina Sigursdottir Hansen, and the State Secretary of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries. These discussions will encompass diverse facets of fisheries advancement, resource administration, research, innovation, and trade.
As part of the visit, the delegation will participate in Aqua Nor 2023, a biennial aquaculture exhibition and trade fair held in Trondheim, Norway, scheduled from August 22nd to 24th, 2023. This event ranks among the world’s foremost trade expos for aquaculture technology and innovation.
The exhibition will serve as a platform to showcase the latest breakthroughs and solutions in the realm of sustainable and profitable aquaculture. During this event, the delegation will have the opportunity to interact with various Norwegian enterprises that excel in different aspects of fisheries and aquaculture. These areas include fish health, feed, genetics, equipment, processing, and marketing.
The delegation will additionally tour advanced facilities in Norway dedicated to fisheries and aquaculture. These encompass state of art facilities like fishing vessels, fishing harbours, hatcheries, cage farms, and seafood processing units. This visit will serve as a valuable learning opportunity, enabling the delegation to draw insights from Norway’s expertise. It will also facilitate the exploration of potential collaborations and investments in these sectors.
Furthermore, the delegation will interact with the Indian diaspora residing in Norway. They will brief them about the strides and accomplishments made by the Government of India in the fisheries sector, seeking valuable suggestions and feedback.
The visit is projected to foster a deeper mutual understanding and enhance bilateral cooperation between India and Norway in the field of fisheries. It is poised to lay the groundwork for substantial development through collaborative partnership in the future.