Authority aware of sensitive area

By DALE LUMA
THE National Fisheries Authority (NFA) is aware of the sensitivity surrounding an area earmarked for a proposed investment in Western by a Chinese company.
The Fujian Zhonghong Fishery Ltd has signed a memorandum of understanding with the State for a US$150 million (K527.20mil) fisheries project in Daru.
NFA managing director John Kasu said the document signed was “just a framework to set discussions in motion”.
“Because of the sensitivity of the area, the Torres Strait which has a treaty between us and Australia, won’t be touched,” he told The National.
It has already created debate in the Australian media but Kasu said no formal agreement had been reached yet. “We are waiting for a proposal from the Chinese to come and the investment they want to put in,” Kasu said.
“There have been discussions on what they intend to do but we have not really looked at it in detail.
“We are waiting for them to submit a business plan. If we approve it, it has to go through the NFA board for its sanctioning.
“But first, we need to find out what they are trying to do and then we’ve got processes here which we will run and see if it warrants to approve that or not.”