Since late 2003, seafood processing industry has started to bloom in Kien Giang province, attracting all economic sectors into seafood the processing and farming industries. Close connections between export processing and on-site material supply has already given higher priority to all investors coming to such a coastal province. As many as 26 enterprises have so far got licenses to invest in Tac Cau fish port with a total investment of VND500 billion and have to date put more than 20 processing bases into operations.
Emerging from a Bustling Port Complex
The number of fishing boats and ships landing at Tac Cau fishing port in Chau Thanh district has been increasing over the recent times.
Last year, at least 800 boats and ships had already made landfall at the port per month. The figure was more than 1,200 ones monthly in the first months of this year. Situating on National Highway 63, the Tac Cau fishing port, which is ten kilometres away from seaport, has been an ideal destination to shelter offshore fishing boats and ships. The port has also been fitted out with fishing’s logistic service in order to create a good condition for fishermen. Thanks to these, a majority of Kien Giang’s seafood processing factories is currently locating at the port.
In the pre-2003 period, there were only state-owned companies involving into seafood industry with a focus on shrimp processing, failing to make use of the aquatic potentials in the province. Despite being behind the times in diversifying production structure, the province has made significant progress in seafood processing industry. Thus, the local seafood enterprises are currently standing firm on their feet although their shrimp products were hit by the anti-dumping lawsuit in the US, the biggest importer of Kien Giang’s seafood.
The port has not only helped boost up the local economic development but created employment among local labourers as well.
Upgrading Tac Cau Fishing Port
Expansion of Tac Cau fishing port has recently caused much concern among local and foreign enterprises. There have been an increasing number of both domestic and foreign enterprises seeking to pour capital into the port. However, the port’s managers have not yet dared to shake hands with any investors due to limited land and infrastructure. Tac Cau fishing port is designed to expand by 70 hectares meanwhile list of registered investors has surpassed the expected one.
At present, seafood processing factories in Kien Giang province have a combined capacity of 57,000 tons per annum, including 45,000 tons of frozen seafood products. Two-thirds of the total capacity is earmarked for exports.
Kien Giang province is expected to gain earnings of US$90 million from seafood exports this year. To this end, the province plans to expand the Tac Cau fishing port to more than 100 hectares next year. The move is also aimed to help preserve aquatic products and increase the quality of the local seafood industry.
Hoa Binh
Vietnamese
