(vasep.com.vn) Currently, Vietnam fishery sector numbered more than 70 FDI projects with total investment of US$310 million. This cash flow was chiefly poured into fish farming, processing, feed and aquatic seed producing activities.
However, they all are small-scale projects with an average amount of US$4.4 million per project, according to International Cooperation Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD).
There are 18 countries and territories injected money in fisheries projects in Vietnam. However, these projects have not created good link in the whole production and supply chain.
So far, Vietnam still has weak capacity to attract foreign investments, which does not meet potentials of local fishery sector, especially those in the Mekong Delta. The main reason is that the country has not national strategy for localities to attract and manage foreign investments.
In addition, foreign investors are hesitant to pour money in fisheries activities as they considered that it is a risky business sector. Weaknesses in infrastructure are also their concern.
In the coming time, provinces in Mekong Delta should kick off a strategy to develop Vietnam fisheries by 2020 in order to have more foreign investments in high tech and sustainable projects. The policies to create a favourable investment environment are needed to meet demands of foreign investors.
Moreover, it is necessary to know trend and demands of international investors and undertake trade promotion programs to get more ODA fund. The diversification of investment models must be also focused, especially the public-private partnership (PPP). This is a new investment model which is now popular in the agricultural sector through cooperation between the State and private companies.
Vietnam Directorate of Fisheries (D-Fish) and Metro Cash & Carry will cooperate with some players in the sector like Cargill and Fresh Studio to undertake a pilot fish farming program under the METROGAP. The program involves 2,000 farming families in Can Tho city.
Two key fish hubs must be developed in the provinces of Kien Giang and Can Tho to attract FDI and ODA funds in order to enhance the growth of the Mekong Delta’s fishery sector, boosting seafood export value and creating more jobs for local workers, especially those in rural areas.