report of the working group on improvement of banking services

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11. There is an urgent need to establish a lagoon management plan based on scientific research and active
community participation. Capacity building programmes for <strong>the</strong> people <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> islands may be undertaken.
12. Hatcheries and culture units may be set up for <strong>the</strong> mass production and export <strong>of</strong> marine ornamental
fishes, promotion <strong>of</strong> pearl culture.
13. The development <strong>of</strong> export oriented sector <strong>of</strong> marine ornamental fishes should be through an
environmentally responsible manner. There is need to create an institutional framework for trade, capacity
building <strong>of</strong> selected youth to undertake <strong>the</strong> activity and to establish suitable infrastructure along with effective
links for transport and market.
14. An Ocean Development Authority on <strong>the</strong> lines <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Island Development Authority may be set up to give
focussed attention to <strong>the</strong> task <strong>of</strong> efficient exploitation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> economic wealth lying within <strong>the</strong> territorial waters
and <strong>the</strong> Exclusive Economic Zone <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> islands.
15. A comprehensive policy for development <strong>of</strong> fisheries, tourism and establishment <strong>of</strong> eco-friendly industries
may be evolved for a systematic development <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se sectors.
16.The feasibility <strong>of</strong> utilizing <strong>the</strong> available vacant lands for constructing cold storages for fish processing,
cottages for tourists, sheds for promoting eco-friendly industrial clusters for producing value added products
relating to coconut and fish, installing Wind Mills may be explored.
17. Modern techniques for increasing tuna fish catch like, deep sea fishing, mo<strong>the</strong>r and collector vessels,
mechanised boats etc., may be implemented.
18. Under PPP model, an Export Oriented Unit (EOU) for tuna fish may be set up in <strong>the</strong> mainland for fish
processing, product diversification and export to foreign countries with <strong>the</strong> help <strong>of</strong> MPEDA and CIFT.
Suggestions for Tourism Development
1. The islands and mainland (Kochi) may be connected better for tourist travel. Easy mobility from mainland
and among <strong>the</strong> islands will act as a facilitator for several developmental efforts and initiatives.
2. More number <strong>of</strong> ships may be introduced between <strong>the</strong> mainland and <strong>the</strong> islands.
3. More number <strong>of</strong> motor boats for travel between <strong>the</strong> islands may be introduced.