January 20, 2014
The Brazilian Development Bank also known as the National Economic Development Bank (BNDES) approved to fund two aquaculture projects in the central-west region of Brazil amounting to BRL34.4 million (US$14.5 million).
One of the initiatives will be developed by Geneseas Aquaculture Ltd. in Aparecida do Taboado. This company obtained a loan of BRL15.8 million (US$6.7 million) to launch two fish fattening centres and an industrial unit that will produce around 13,300 tonnes annually.
The other project belongs to Delicious Fish Agroindústria e Comércio de Pescados Ltda., a company located in Sorriso, which will receive BRL18.5 million (US$7.8 million) funds to expand its facilities for aquaculture production.
The latter company is part of Gaspar Group, which conducts research aimed at genetic enhancement.
These new investments will enable the creation of 104 direct and 170 indirect jobs in Sorriso (Mato Grosso) and 136 new jobs in Aparecida do Taboado (Mato Grosso do Sul).
In 2012, the BNDES launched Proaquicultura programme designed to improve fish production chain, with an investment of BRL500 million (US$212.1 million), which will be in effect until December 31, 2017.
The bank, through this programme, will finance up to 80% of business investment and 100% through BNDES PSI in the specific case of machinery and domestic equipment purchase, the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture (MPA) stated.
In the Secretary of Infrastructure and Development of MPA, Eloy Araujo''s opinion, bank financing is very important for the aquaculture sector, which has achieved significant growth in the last three years.
Araujo said the BNDES completed a study on the production chain at the request of MPA, as fish farming and aquaculture are an important resource to generate jobs and business.
Last year, fish consumption in the country exceeded the expected 13 kilogrammes per capita per year, and projections indicate that a level of 14.5 kilogrammes might be achieved.
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