STATEMENTS OF REPRESENTATIVES OF OTHER GOVERNMENTS
Bhutan has not joined the Network formally, but the Royal Government is very much thankful to the institution for giving it (the Government) the opportunity to join the Meeting of the Governing Council as observer.
As most of you are aware, Bhutan is a very mountainous country and therefore has limited potential for aquaculture development. We introduced trout as far back as 1930 in our mountain lakes and streams but we have yet to get economic benefits from this activity.
As far as warm water fish culture is concerned, we started activities on this in 1979. Now with the assistance of UNDP, we have recently implemented one project and we are in the stage of launching the second programme on the production of fish in the private sector. We anticipate some constraints in this programme because of very limited technical personnel available in the country.
In spite of not having full details about the NACA activities in the region, and the lack of full information to the Bhutanese Government, this delegation appreciates NACA's leading role in the field of aquaculture development. With the little information that we have in Bhutan, our Government is actively considering becoming a member, but because of limited resources, the country may not be in a position to contribute the required amount at this stage of development. I will appreciate the Governing Council's suggestions to us in this respect.
Thank you very much.
