December 28, 2007

Vietnam targets US$15-billion for seafood and forestry exports in 2010

The Vietnam Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) is aiming revenues of US$15 billion in seafood, farm and forestry shipments, reports the Vietnam Financial Times.

The MARD says the country expects to post 4 to 4.5 percent growth in agricultural production value, 3.3 to 3.5 percent growth in agricultural GDP and 7.5 percent to 8 percent in rural area's economy.

To further improve competitiveness of Vietnamese products, the ministry will implement good agricultural practices programmes to help safe and hygienic products as well as tightening inspection over seafood, farm produces and forestry products before export.

It also promised to give incentives and create favourable conditions to attract foreign investment.

According to recent statistics, Vietnamese agricultural sector has already earned VND113 trillion (more than US$7 billion) for the past five years, meeting 17 percent of demand and accounted for only 8.7% of the country¡¯s total.

Vietnam is seen to export US$12 billion worth of seafood, forestry and agricultural products in 2007.