Fisheries exhibition expected to promote domestic exports

Vietfish, a leading aquaculture exhibition in Southeast Asia, will feature 230 booths displaying products and services such as fresh, frozen, dried and salted fish and shrimp as well as processing equipment, machinery and other items.

During the event, a seminar on Japan's market trends and import regulations will be held by the Viet Nam Trade Promotion Agency and the Viet Nam Association of Seafood Producers (VASEP). Other seminars on hot topics related to the seafood industry will also be organised.

VASEP said that one of its main goals was to promote Vietnamese seafood brands in the world market.

The event would also offer opportunities for businesses to exchange information and learn about market and customer trends, new products and new technologies, said Truong Dinh Hoe, VASEP general secretary.

Many international organisations and media agencies, including the Canadian Trade Commission, Sweden Trade Commission, Asian Aquaculture Network, Global Aquaculture Alliance and a delegate of Japan journalists have registered to take part in the expo.

Hoe said that seafood firms were facing several problems, including a shortage of raw materials, a drop in overseas demand, disease outbreaks among shrimp and trade barriers that have resulted in anti-dumping and anti-subsidy lawsuits.

Exports had fallen significantly in the first quarter of the year due to a drop in global demand, said To Thi Tuong Lan, VASEP deputy general secretary.

Exports, however, showed signs of recovery in April, with an increase of 2 per cent over the same period last year, she said.

Seafood export revenue is estimated to reach nearly US$3 billion in the first half of this year, Hoe said.

The seafood industry would likely meet the export target set for this year of $6.5 billion if the rest of the year presented advantageous conditions, Hoe said.