Vietnam - Sri Lanka to strengthen bonds in fisheries

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

Vietnam and Sri Lanka have agreed to strengthen bonds in the fisheries sector and agreed to further boost cooperation in aquaculture and product marketing.

This was highlighted during discussions between Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr Rajitha Senaratne and Vietnam Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Cao Duc Phat and senior Vietnam ministry officials during Minister Senaratne's recent visit to Vietnam.

According to Minister Senaratne, the Vietnam government highlighted the importance of cooperation between the two countries.

The minister participated in the VIETFISH 2012, the 14th international seafood exhibition organised by the Vietnam Seafood Exporters and Promoters (VASEP) held in Ho Chi Minh city.

The minister held discussions with VASEP Chairman Prof Nguyen Huu Dzung, VASEP Secretary General Truong Dinh Hoe and industry leaders at the event. Minister Senaratne participated in an inspection tour of catfish farms and processing plants in the Mekong delta, the key area of catfish production in Vietnam which has an annual export value of US $ 1.8 billion. According to sources, the value of the total seafood exports from Vietnam stood at US $ 6.2 billion last year.

The minister also visited Nha Trang Research Station where he was received by its Director Dr Bao Van Tri. This station provides technical expertise in seaweed and sea cucumber culture and marketing, and lobster fattening.

Under the Sri Lanka- Vietnam technical cooperation programme in fisheries, the revised work plan was endorsed and signed at the third Joint Committee Meeting in Hanoi recently.

Sri Lanka's focal point for the cooperation programme is National Aquaculture Development Authority. Vietnamese experts have already visited Sri Lanka and identified the location for a sea cucumber hatchery in Mannar.