fisheries export 2001

revue de presse saigon times weekly

Fisheries export sees recovery
The fisheries industry has seen sign of recovery after a time of being hit by the September 11 events in the U.S.
The Ministry of Fisheries puts November fisheries export at US$150 million, up from US$140 million in September and October. According to its report on fisheries performance, importers continue to sign new contracts with local processors to prepare for the upcoming Christmas season and New Year holidays. Unprocessed fisheries prices often fall during this time of the year when processors have stored sufficient stocks. However, there has been a rise in orders from Japan and America this year, putting pressure on local exporters.
Fisheries export in the first 11 months of this year has surpassed the year's target of US$1.6 billion to US$1.66 billion by end-November, up 28% on the year earlier period. Output reached 1.33 million tons, above the year's target of 1.32 million tons.
In export, fisheries are Vietnam's third largest foreign currency earner after crude oil and garments, which earned US$3 billion and US$1.8 billion in the first 11 months.
This week, the Ministry of Fisheries and Vietnam Association of Seafood Importers and Processors will go to the U.S. to discuss issues regarding tra and basa fish export stateside. The visit follows President Bush's approval of a bill banning the import of fish and products under the name "catfish." According to Deputy Fisheries Minister Nguyen Thi Hong Minh, fisheries businesses will have to boost advertising and marketing of tra and basa fish under a new name, and this needs large funds and government support.
In an international press conference last week, the spokesperson of Vietnam's Foreign Ministry, Phan Thuy Thanh, said Vietnam protests the Bush administration's approval of the HR2330 bill on agriculture budget barring the catfish export to the U.S. from other countries. "Vietnam sees the move as a unilateral, arbitrary act that is not consistent with the bilateral trade agreement (BTA) and goes counter to the free trade spirit, adversely affecting bilateral trade and economic relations," she said, stressing that Vietnam hopes the U.S. would take positive steps to minimize the negative impacts of the bill on Vietnam.
The National Assembly's External Relations Committee has also issued a statement protesting the bill and asking the U.S. to abide by the spirit of the BTA.