Seafood processors are calling on the government to phase out import tariffs on seafood materials, which have been seriously troubling their production, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).
The petition was made at a general conference held on June 13 in Ho Chi Minh City to discuss concerns and chart a successfully course for the fisheries sector.
Seafood imported into Vietnam is now taxed at a high rate of 30 per cent, discouraging local processors from importing more seafood materials even though they are in crucial need of input aquatic products.
Fierce input aquatic shortages, caused by increasing domestic demand for aquatic products amidst bird flu and foot-and-mouth outbreaks, has triggered a struggling between seafood processor for materials to maintain their operations.
“Unhealthy competition will appear in such situation, lessening competitiveness of Vietnamese seafood in the world market,” said the VASEP vice chairman Ngo Phuoc Hau at the conference.
Vietnam plans to annually spend US$190 million importing seafood from now till 2010, representing a rise of 8-10 per cent against the previous periods, Hau said.
The seafood imports come from 40 countries and territories throughout the world, with Asian countries being the main supply sources. India provides 26 per cent of the imports, China 18 per cent, Hong Kong 9 per cent, ASEAN countries 18 per cent, and Taiwan 6 per cent.
Speaking at the event, Hau also revealed that the association has plans in the works to create a joint-stock bank for seafood import-export to support sector members, which is to come into operation shortly.
Hau said VASEP planned to carry out programs to increase competitive ability, material quality and management skill for its members to support the sector.
Liberated Saigon
Vietnamese
