The National reports joint venture company Nambawan Seafoods Tuna would operate the plant, which is expected to process about 150 to 200 tonnes of tuna daily.

Fisheries Minister Mao Zeming said he would like to see more investors being involved in downstream projects.

"We would like to encourage our investors to go into downstream businesses so that it can help our domestic processing, so fish that comes out of our exclusive economic zone and the archipelagic waters have maximum benefit to our people," he said.

The facility was funded by China's Hailisheng Group is expected to generate K169 million in annual exports.

The government is also considering not issuing fishing licences to international fishing fleets unless they had processing plants in the country.