Gwadar fishmeal plant: TECNO, MAYCOM invest $12m to boost seafood exports and Pakistan-China trade. The two groups signed a joint venture at the 2nd China-Pakistan B2B Investment Conference in Beijing during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit. The project highlights Pakistan’s efforts to develop its coastal economy and expand seafood exports.
Under the deal, TECNO will take the controlling stake with support from the third-party company CYCLON. It will manage fish procurement and production in Pakistan. On the other hand, MAYCOM, a Xinjiang-based import-export company, will contribute technology and oversee sales. Together, they will source sardines and other fish from the Arabian Sea near Gwadar to produce feed-grade fishmeal and fish oil for Chinese aquaculture markets.
The Gwadar fishmeal plant will be developed in two phases. Phase I involves a $4 million investment and aims for an annual output of 15,000 tons. Both companies conducted site inspections before signing the deal and agreed on long-term trade mechanisms to ensure smooth operations.
In addition to fisheries, the venture broadens Pakistan-China trade. Pakistan will export sesame, peanuts, cottonseed, and minerals to China. In return, it will import solar panels, energy storage systems, and new energy products. An initial procurement deal for 10,000 tons of Pakistani sesame has already been finalised, showing progress beyond seafood.
Pakistan has set a seafood export target of $600 million for FY 2025–26, compared to $465 million in FY 2024–25. With China as the largest buyer, the Gwadar fishmeal plant is expected to play a crucial role in meeting this target while strengthening bilateral trade ties.
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