Fisheries sector calls for more investment over next 4 years
Ha Noi, Sept. 19 (VNA) -- The fisheries sector has called for an investment of VND 23 trillion (USD 1.46 billion) for the 2001-2005 period so as to catch 2.4 million tonnes of fish and earn USD 3 billion from exports by 2005.
Fisheries Minister Ta Quang Ngoc told members of the International Economic and Cultural Exchange Club on Sept. 18 that the funding is expected to come largely from the State budget.
Infrastructure investment remains the top priority for the fisheries sector, as its port system, irrigation facilities, and breeding establishments are all in need of upgrading. Investment will also be used to strengthen the sector's capacity to manage information so as to better organise off-shore fishing operations and ensure the safety of its fishermen.
In this regard, the Prime Minister has approved a project to build storm shelters on sea waters for fishing boats.
The Government, since recognising the importance of the country's fishing industry in 1993, has been pour ing large amounts of investment into this sector. In the 1996-2000 period, the State invested VND 9 trillion into the industry, 2.5 times the total investment it poured into the industry during the 1991-1995 period.
As a result, 72 aquatic product-processing establishments have been upgraded, of which 62 entities have been officially recognised to meet the EU market standards. The national off-shore fishing fleet has been increased to 6,000 ships with a combined capacity of more than 1 million Horse Power. Seventeen fishing ports have been built, with eight of them funded by official development assistance (ODA) and financial grants from foreign countries.
Fishing and relevant services now provide jobs for an estimated 4 million workhands.
The industry earned almost USD 1.48 billion from exports in 2000 or 34 percent of the agricultural export volume.
In the past eight months, more than 1.5 million tonnes of fish were netted and more than USD 1.2 billion earned from exports.
The figures are estimated at 2.2 million tonnes and USD 1.8 billion in the whole of 2001.--VNA
