Optimum conditions have been given to the fishing and seafood processing industry of the central province of Binh Dinh to enhance the economic viability of its sea-based economy.
Binh Dinh boasts a coastline of over 134km with a number of major seaports such as Quy Nhon, De Gi and Tam Quan.
According to Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Huu Hao, the province has some 7,340 fishing vessels with over 56,400 workers at present, yet most of them are operating inshore.
He said local authorities have provided nearly 360 billion VND (17.1 million USD) for an approximate 7,700 vessels to help fishermen build and upgrade vessels for offshore catching.
In 2013, Binh Dinh fished more than 180,940 tonnes of aquatic products, 12.2 percent above its annual target and 8.4 percent higher than caught the year before. In total, it earned nearly 1.8 trillion VND (84.8 million USD) from seafood production.
It targets a catch of 185,000 tonnes in 2014, Hao said, adding that around 18,000 tonnes of seafood were netted in the first two months, a year-on-year increase of 3.6 percent.
The province plans to further financial aid and incentives to fishermen while piloting two fishing associations in Quy Nhon city and Hoai Nhon district, he noted.
There are five factories processing seafood for export in Binh Dinh currently. In 2013, they processed 9,300 tonnes of products and gained an export turnover of 56.4 million USD.
At the same time, 339 establishments speacialising in the domestic market turned out 9.7 million litres of fish sauce and 2,500 tonnes of dried seafood, among others.
Local processors have consumed fewer than 20 percent of total caught due to their low capacity and competition from traders.
To realise the 60 million USD goal set for seafood exports in 2014, the province will expand policies supporting offshore fishing and seafood preservation, thus heading to big markets, especially Japan, said Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Le Huu Loc.
It will also accelerate the construction of large-scale processing factories and make best use of assistance from the Vietnamese and Japanese Governments, he stated.-VNA
Đăng ký: VietNam News