In the first half of 2006, Vietnam fisheries sector was confronted with several difficulties. However, with the joint efforts of the whole industry, the 2006 objectives can be met with catching output of 961,000 tonnes or 3.1 per cent more than last year, raising output of 647,900 tonnes or 18.9 per cent more, and export value of US$1.4 billion or 29 per cent more. Evidently, the sector is also making good preparation for the WTO accession. Vietnam Business Forum discussed with Mr. Ngo Phuoc Hau, Chairman and Director General of Hau Giang Fisheries Joint Stock Company (AGIFISH).
As you have been in the trade for a long time, how do you see the development of Vietnam fisheries, and what are the successes of Agifish ?
In the past 20 years of economic renewal, Vietnam fisheries have recorded successes in every area: fishing, raising, processing. Mass media have reported at length on Basa and Tra fish : their ups and downs, high and low prices, deficit and surplus output and also anti-dumping lawsuit. It shows something special about the fish. Some people asked me whether the fisheries sector is prepared for the economic integration ? My reply was that we have in fact integrated and the competition led to the lawsuits with the United States and EU on Basa and Tra fish. And finally we overcome all the challenges and our fish now rank second only to salmon in quantity.
As for Agifish, we have recorded significant achievements in recent years. In the first nine months of 2006, the turnover increased 150 per cent compared to 2005 with output of 200 tonnes a day. Agifish is the first in the Mekong Delta to start the listing on securities market with VND160 billion in capital and high stock of VND70,000. Agifish is also the first to introduce new products of Basa and Tra in Vietnam. As a result, Agifish has been awarded several titles : Labor Hero of the Renewal (2001), Golden Star of Vietnam (2006), High Quality Product of Vietnam, several medals and certificates including ISO 9001:2000, HACCP, GMP, SSOP, SQF 1000, SQF 2000, BRC, etc.
There are however certain constraints. Most of the households, though have increased their output from some dozens to some hundreds tonnes of products a year, remain in small scale and careless for the food safety. Agifish has launched a campaign of producing healthy APPU fish in compliance of SQF 1000 criteria to compete in the world market. The cooperation has been established between species producer, feed supplier, medicine provider, farmer and processing exporter. As a matter of fact, the food safety has been strictly secured from the raising to the consumers. It is in fact a success of Agifish.
As you are also member of VCCI Board of Directors and Vice-Chairman of VASEP, what assistance do Vietnamese businesses need from the related authorities in the process of international economic integration?
The role of related authorities is very important. It has a direct impact on the business development. We cannot compete without the definition of criteria on environment, species, farming and processing. We must ensure the stable supply of resources. In other countries, the associations control the quota. We should do the same to secure the high growth of the sector.
What will Agifish do when Vietnam accedes to WTO and what will be the future markets ?
First of all, we will upgrade the facilities and human resources to meet the new demand. We will also introduce new products, ensure sustainable development, expand markets and develop new business activities.
Agifish products are now available in such markets as EU, Asia, Australia, Middle East, South Africa, etc. with Europe and Australia make up 90 per cent of the export. Concerning the US, though the contracted have been cancelled, it remains an important market and we will come back to this market. In 2006-2007 we target South American market and Agifish products have been introduced to Argentina and soon in Brazil and other countries in the region.
What is your most important success in business activities ?
I am proud to be a businessman in the period of economic integration and unprecedented development. With WTO accession, Vietnamese businesses have to work much harder to increase their standards and responsibilities so as to compete in the world market. For Vietnamese fisheries, with products exported to over 50 countries, continued efforts should be made to record higher growth rate and keep pace with the economic integration.
Quang Dai
Vietnamese
