PM says tra and basa catfish are key exports

PM Dung was speaking to local authorities and businesses’ leaders in the Mekong Delta region at a conference on the production and consumption of tra and basa catfish.

He pointed out that catfish is one of Vietnam’s key export items, earning nearly US$1.5 billion in 2008. However, the fisheries sector is facing a number of difficulties, especially catfish farmers.

According to reports delivered at the conference, catfish farming, which uses nearly 6,000 ha of ponds, equivalent to 1 percent of shrimp farms, has generated jobs for thousands of local workers to help revitalize the local economy and reduce poverty in the region.

Concentrated in the 10 Mekong delta provinces, the catfish farms produced more than 1.12 million tonnes last year, with 630,000 tonnes being exported to 130 countries and earning over US$1.4 billion.

PM Dung said that tra and basa are important to the national economy, making up 2 percent of GDP and 32 percent of the turnover from aquatic exports.

He went on to praise the provincial authorities’ efforts to develop varieties, increase the quality of aquacultural products and generate more jobs for local people. He also pointed out some shortcomings in the State’s management work, zoning plans for the purchasing, processing and exporting of aquatic products.

Mr Dung asked the MARD to develop catfish farming and processing into a large-scale industry, while meeting international standards but still protecting environment.

He also agreed to establish a steering board to deal with any future problems that may arise from the farming and set up associations for tra and basa breeding, processing and consumption to strengthen links among businesses operating in this field.