Vietnam is currently ranked in the national team and capable of high competitiveness of the fisheries sector . This is shown when Vietnam is the 5th country in the world producing and exporting seafood .

 

In the context of world economic integration, deeper , trade of Vietnam in general and fisheries in particular have more favorable opportunities for exporters in developing countries .

 

To capture these opportunities , Vietnam News Agency reporter had an interview with Mr. Nguyen Hoai Nam , Deputy General Secretary of Association of Seafood Exporters and Vietnam ( VASEP ) .

 

Estimated 2013 total turnover of Vietnam seafood exports reached a new record level of $ 6.8 billion . According to VASEP , this success has been primarily due to the sudden increase of export of shrimp . In your opinion , what factors have brought this success to the fisheries sector in general and shrimp processing sectors in particular ?

 

- It can be said this year , shrimp export growth brings nearly 40 % , while other items not increase leveled off or even declined .

Last time , on shrimp diseases occur in a number of countries around the world including Vietnam while world demand to increase the price of shrimp has increased .

 

Vietnam is developing two items prawns and white shrimp . In the future , we need to maintain this strength for sustainable development .

 

But keep the good momentum of growth , but Vietnam's seafood still struggling at the stage input source material is not stable . Currently, particularly for shrimp , raw shrimp in large part is " flow " to China under the quota leads to lack of raw materials for processing shrimp and difficult to control domestic product named " Vietnam shrimp . " can you tell us , the branches and VASEP what solutions to address this problem ?

 

- This is a problem posed in the past year and for years to come . We must first recognize that the Chinese market is the largest market of Vietnam .

 

With huge purchasing power and increasing demand , China bought more agricultural products from Vietnam, including seafood .

 

2013 , the demand of the world market increased very strongly , especially the Chinese market . In the seafood products from Vietnam have to buy 70 % of the shrimp .

 

When buyers see an increase too sharply from the Chinese market , especially items bought fresh ingredients that are not found in processed , value-added goods , VASEP reported promptly to Ministry of Agriculture and Nthon Development , Ministry of Industry and Trade to seafood can export quota and export of value added goods to China more time there instead of 96 % is found rough .

 

In the future , China will continue to be a large market , VASEP has implemented a number of trade promotion activities towards export quota of seafood products to this market .

 

How do you assess the impact of the Agreement on the Trans-Pacific Partnership ( TPP ) for the fishery ? FTA Vietnam - Vietnam Europe have helped to remove barriers to entry into the European market or not ?

 

- Aquaculture is one of the group of large commercial transactions in the block under the TPP countries , especially Japan and the U.S. . Agreement beneficial to both parties , not only for Vietnam .

 

Industry , particularly in the field of taxation , when adjusted to 0% will create a distinct competitive advantage . Looking at a level , which Vietnam seafood products are high in demand these countries which tax is not high when moving down to 0 % , then also create opportunities for businesses .

The business opportunity that dominates depends on how competitiveness .

 

We need integration , further preparation in the production of goods , quality and stable output to perceive better opportunities .

 

The European market has a number of provisions according to many experts can call these barriers . Looking at a most objective way , which as a playground . When integration , we are not trade-offs but first we have to meet the requirements of a level playing field . Therefore, we need to prepare capacity , which could be called competitiveness to meet the export requirement .

 

We have participated in several sessions during the FTA negotiation preparation and found that the average tax rate of about 7-10 % , seafood is one of five groups of key export commodities to Europe a clear opportunity here every year with exports of more than $ 1 billion . This is an opportunity for both sides .

 

With opportunities FTA in place, we have a chance to dominate . To achieve the quality criteria for European goods is number one . Quality control of goods to the chain that we have a process to prepare Safety Law after WTO as food hygiene , decisions , circulars .... ensure that Vietnam has sufficient capacity to supply European customers .

 

In addition to the traditional markets like the U.S. , Japan , Europe ... the country is now a potential market of Vietnam seafood ? VASEP seafood industry and will have a specific strategy in 2014 for Vietnam seafood reaching out to the world ?

 

- In the State , there were schemes and programs implemented development strategy seafood Vietnam in 2020 for the areas of planning , processing and export markets . This is the framework for the business community , enforcement agencies to manage fisheries for sustainable development .

 

On the side of VASEP , Vietnam seafood exports its products to more than 150 markets , including major markets . Since 2013, VASEP realize that China is a strong emerging market , ranked 3 (based on the single market imports ) .

 

In addition, there are other markets like India , besides their demand for importing raw materials production capacity is very large .

 

In addition, a number of major markets in South America , the Middle East and the Muslim community had greater purchasing power , which is the market in the near future will be concentrated VASEP .

 

Thank you !

 

Dieu Linh - Red Cliff / VNA