HCMC – The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has modified a circular that imposes strict requirements on seafood temporarily imported for local processing and bound for foreign markets.
Circular 25, effective from early this month, is designed to restrict seafood imports to help reduce the country’s high trade deficit. But 99% of seafood imports by member companies of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) are for export processing.
Seafood processors have decried the circular, saying it is causing difficulties for their operations, and that they might be closed down if the status quo is maintained.
Under the new circular coded 51, the ministry will exempt food products temporarily imported for export from the quality registration requirement. Meanwhile, products imported for local sale are still subject to the old circular.
Tran Thien Hai, chairman of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), said the new circular solved almost all difficulties faced by seafood processors.
Nguyen Quang Tuyen, general director of Cafico Vietnam Joint Stock Co., said the latest circular had virtually dealt with a petition the enterprises sent to the Government.
According to VASEP, Vietnam imports around 150,000 tons of seafood material for export processing, bringing a 25% profit for local enterprises.
