WB's $156m help for fish project likely

The World Bank (WB) may give Bangladesh $156 million for a six-year project for developing fisheries sector to meet the fish requirement of the country, a WB press release said yesterday.
WB is discussing with the government about the new project that would improve the rural livelihoods of at least 1,000 fishing communities and 2,50,000 households, said the release.
Currently annual per capita fish consumption in Bangladesh is an estimated 14 kg against a recommended minimum requirement of 18 kg per year.
The fisheries sector, despite its relatively small size, contributes significantly to the country's economy.
Some estimates suggest that an extra one million hectares of inland waters can be developed for productive fishing, which may raise gross revenues from fishing by US$2 billion annually. It will also create job for 1.5 million mostly for the rural poor for increase in fish production.