The number of factories in Myanmar allowed by the European Union to export naturally caught fish and prawns has increased from 21 to 23, according to the Fisheries Department.

Since 2010, 21 local factories have been allowed to export wild-caught fish to EU countries, and two more permitted factories are TT Cold Store Factory and A&N Foods (Myanmar) Co Ltd.

"Two more factories have now been permitted. All 23 factories are allowed to export wild-caught fish. Documents have been submitted for one more factory to get EU recognition," said Thet Naing, deputy director of Yangon Region Fisheries Department.

On December 1 last year, EU permitted 13 factories to export 10 kinds of marine creatures including farmed fish, prawn and soft crab. Fish include various species such as carp and catfish.

The permission to export fish and prawn to EU countries started in 2010. But farmed fish were not allowed due to the lack of guarantee to make farmed fish free from biochemical residues. Efforts were then made according to the EU standards to be able to export farmed fishery products.