It is now the fifth year since the Cat Hai Fisheries Processing and Service Joint stock Company was converted into a joint stock enterprise. On the basis of developing its strength ‘unity, dynamism, creativity and renewal’ and its tradition as a Labour Hero, the company has seen a rapid development with a famous trademark ‘Cat Hai Fish Sauce.’
The company has gained a high year-on-year growth rate, producing 3.2 million litres of fish sauce each year. By October, 2005, the company had completed its yearly plan for 2005 with total revenues of VND 23.551 billion (its yearly plan was to earn VND 22 billion in revenues). The company contributed VND 1.562 billion.
Cat Hai fish sauce is made of various fish, such as anchovy and cuttlefish, which are rich in protein, amino acids and vitamins and minerals useful for consumers. The company’s products are sold in most localities in the north and exported to the Philippines.
Talking about how fish sauce is produced, Vu Van Cao, director of the company, said: “The differences between Cat Hai fish sauce and other products of the same kind are production lines, climatic conditions and water sources. Our company uses specific traditional methods. Fish sauce made by other companies is made indoors. Ours is manufactured outdoors, using sunlight to boost the fermentation process. As a result, scents escape to create a natural taste, which cannot be felt from other products.”
At the same time, the company attaches great importance to upgrading its workshop and warehouses. Each year, the company invests between VND 800 million and VND 1 billion for this purpose. The Haiphong Department Fisheries has recognised the company to meet the food hygiene and safety requirements. The company’s products are guaranteed by a HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) certificate granted by QUACERT in 2002. The company has its HACCP certificate renewed recently. As a result, Cat Hai fish sauce was selected by the World Nutrition Organisation, the Nutrition Institute under the Ministry of Public Health and the Haiphong Department of Public Health to join the Government’s programme on putting iodine, vitamin A and ferric substances into fish sauce for pregnant women and children.
In 2005, the company was presented by the Vietnamese quality award, a gold cup for famous trademarks in Vietnam. The company received a letter from the chairman of the People’s Committee of Haiphong city, in which the city leader praises the company’s completion of its yearly plan 60 days ahead of schedule. The company’s products have been voted as Vietnamese high quality goods for six consecutive years, from 2000 to 2005.
Nguyen Mai
Vietnamese
