The Government of Russia is available to support Mozambique in the fields of aquaculture, marine fisheries, naval industry, scientific research, combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, as well as in capacity building in both the public and private sectors.

The assurance was given by the Head of the Russian Federal Fisheries Agency, Ilya Shestakov, in a meeting he held with the Minister of Sea, Inland Waters and Fisheries, Augusta Maíta, who is leading the Mozambican delegation to the IV International Forum of the Fishing Industry, taking place in the Russian city of St. Petersburg.

Ilua Shestakov also showed openness from the Russian authorities so that the national fish exports have a market in that European country. According to him, there are no restrictions for the exportation of fish, but the fulfillment of sanitary procedures, a subject to be treated with more depth between the technical areas of both countries related to the animal health component.

At the meeting, which was also attended by the Ambassador of Mozambique in Russia, Mateus Katupha, the minister Augusta Maíta presented to the counterpart the areas of interest for cooperation, specifically aquaculture, marine fisheries, naval industry, and capacity building in both the public and private sectors.

Regarding this meeting, the Mozambican governor said it was productive, and there is, from now on, the need to follow up on it in order to materialize the various initiatives and areas that Russia has shown willingness to support or cooperate.

The meeting was held on the sidelines of the International Fisheries Industry Forum, taking place in St. Petersburg, whose opening session was held on Thursday morning. The forum will address issues such as the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and new challenges for the fishing industry, economic efficiency, social stability, fishing regulation, competition and major trends in socio-economic and political development of the fishing and aquaculture industry.