Fishery processing facility, in Onagawa, Japan.
DOHA/TOKYO: Qatar Friendship Fund (QFF) is set to open its first mega-project ‘Maskar’, a $24.3m multifunctional fishery processing facility, in Onagawa (Japan). The facility is anticipated to generate a market value and spillover effect of QR3.13bn (¥67.3bn), a press statement issued from Tokyo said yesterday.
The multi-million dollar facility has been scheduled to open tomorrow. And the ceremony will be attended by senior dignitaries from Japan and Qatar. The role of QFF is to spearhead rehabilitation efforts in Japan, with special focus on child education, healthcare and fisheries. Many coastal towns in Japan were devastated by the 2011 Great East Earthquake and Tsunami disaster. This led to critical damage to the lucrative fishing industry resulting in widespread unemployment and economic downturn. In Onagawa alone, 70 percent of the fishery infrastructure was destroyed. This was alarming considering that over 70 percent of the people of Onagawa were previously employed in industry related to the fisheries.
Under the leadership of the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs H E Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah, the QFF announced in April its commitment towards the implementation of its first mega-project, a $24.3m fishery project in Onagawa. The project has now reached completion marking a significant step forward for QFF and thousands who will benefit in the local Japanese fishing industry.
The project is also remarkable in that it sets new global benchmarks. The processing facility, which is called ‘Maskar’ after a traditional Qatari fishing method, will be the world’s first Tsunami-prepared fishery facility. The 7,760 square meter multifunctional fishery-processing centre will contain sorting, refrigeration, and storage facilities. In addition, it will benefit about 7,500 fishermen and house more than 40 local companies.
The rehabilitation of Onagawa’s fishing industry is significant as it is a major supplier to the Japanese market. A significant 60 percent of silver salmon and ascidian, popular ingredients in Japanese cuisine, originate from Onagawa’s fisheriesThe Peninsula
