Phuket has designs to become the tuna trading hub of Asean, with deputy governor Pichet Panapong chairing a meeting yesterday to set up such a centre.
The project is part of a strategic plan to develop the city’s economy based on innovation and improved services. The meeting approved the setting up of a committee to develop the economy as well as a provincial administration plan to forge the tuna trading centre.
Mr Phichet said the centre was one of seven strategies to enhance the province’s economy, in addition to tourism. The others focus on the marina industry, international education, health tourism, creative food, tuna and marine life, international sports festivals and the smart city concept.
The province can produce large amounts of tuna but in 2013-2014 the industry became ensnared in claims of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, prompting a…
