Vietnam Fishery Sector Maps out Development Strategy by 2010

Vietnam’s fishery sector needs an overall strategy to ensure the its sustainable development and match its potential, said an official of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD).

 

Speaking about the formulation of such a strategy for the industry to 2020 at a meeting in Haiphong City on Mar. 31, Prof. Dr. Le Tieu La, deputy director of the Vietnam Fisheries Economics and Planning Institute under the MARD, said the lack of a development strategy hurdled production and sale of aquaculture products and farm produces.

 

He also pointed to the poor infrastructure and low competitiveness of the sector.

 

Over the past two decades, the fishery industry has developed markedly with an annual growth rate of 6-10 per cent in the 1985-2008, increasing its output from 1.16 million tons in 1985 to 4.6 million tons in 2008.

 

The sector set target to export US$4.8 billion-US$5 billion worth of seafood in 2010; US$6 billion in 2015 and US$7 billion in 2020.

 

To achieve this year’s objectives, the MARD asked localities to ensure hygiene and food safety in aquaculture areas, expand shrimp raising areas, adjust the production of tra catfish and shrimp and strive to attract investment to improve aquaculture facilities.

 

This year, the industry aims at an export revenue US$4 billion. (Vietnam & World Economy)