A mission established to assist in the implementation of the Transforming Fisheries Sector Management in South-West Indian Ocean Region and Maldives Project (TRANSFORM), carried out by the Ministry of Fisheries with grant and loan assistance from the World Bank, has begun its work.
The work of this mission, named the 'Implementation Support and Restructuring Mission', will proceed in the Maldives from the 1st to the 7th of this month. Among the tasks of this mission, it is scheduled to evaluate the work done so far under the TRANSFORM project and obtain detailed information on planned future activities. It also includes identifying aspects of the project's work that need to be changed and further strengthening the project's activities with guidance from the World Bank.
Experts from various fields representing the World Bank are participating in this mission. In addition, the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare, the Maldives Marine Research Institute, and other important institutions are also participating. This is the fourth meeting to carry out the work of this mission.
During this week, the mission team will understand how the implementation of this project is proceeding and identify priority areas for investment and development in the Maldives, according to the Ministry of Fisheries.
Under the Transforming Fisheries Sector Management in South-West Indian Ocean Region and Maldives Project (TRANSFORM), which has a total value of 64.8 million dollars, 52.8 million dollars has been allocated to the Maldives. This consists of a 26.4 million dollar loan and a 26.4 million dollar grant provided to the Maldives by the International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank branch dedicated to providing assistance to developing countries on concessional terms.
This project, aimed at strengthening fisheries management in the South-West Indian Ocean region, is conducted with the objective of enhancing regional cooperation through data collection, research, and information sharing to support evidence-based decision-making, and increasing the capacity of countries to manage and protect the fisheries industry. The goals of this project include promoting sustainable and inclusive practices to expand and diversify the fisheries industry, eliminating barriers to commercial competitiveness, and increasing women's participation in fisheries management.
The waters of the South-West Indian Ocean region are shared by the Maldives and 11 other countries. They are Kenya, Mozambique, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Yemen, Comoros, La Réunion, Madagascar, Mauritius, and Seychelles.
