Room for growth in Lanka-Vietnam aquaculture ties

by Mohammed NAALIR

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne held discussions with Vietnam’s Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Cao Duc Phat regarding fisheries cooperation between the two countries, during his recent visit to Vietnam.The Vietnamese Minister stressed the necessity of further strengthening bilateral cooperation in aquaculture and product marketing.

Dr. Senaratne was the chief guest at the VIETFISH 2012, the 14th international seafood exhibition organised by the Vietnam Seafood Exporters and Promoters (VASEP) in Ho Chi Minh City.The Minister held discussions with Professor Nguyen Huz Dzung, Chairman, VASEP, Truong Dinh Hoe, Secretary General, VASEP and other senior officers and industry leaders.

The Minister also visited catfish farms and a processing plant in Mekong, Delta. Vietnam annually exports US$ 1.8 billion worth of catfish to international markets. It exported US$ 6.2 billion worth of seafood in 2011.