World Bank supports Vietnam in developing sustainable fisheries

On May 28, Deputy Minister of MARD Phung Duc Tien had a meeting with Ms. Mona Sur, Practice Manager for Environment, Natural Resources and the Blue Economy in the East Asia and Pacific Region of World Bank (WB). Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien extended his gratitude to the WB representative for their practical support to the agriculture sector in general and the fisheries sector in particular.

Vietnam has significant potential in the fisheries sector, with advantages in marine exploitation and aquaculture. To capitalize on this potential, Decision No. 1445 on the approval of the master plan for fisheries development until 2020, with a vision to 2030, has set the goal for the fisheries sector to become a reputable and highly competitive commodity production industry on an international scale. Accordingly, the target by 2030 is to achieve a total fisheries output of 9 million tons, export turnover of approximately 20 billion USD, and an annual growth rate of 6-8% during the 2020-2030 period.

However, the infrastructure of the fisheries sector is still outdated. The Sustainable Fisheries Development Project (SFDP) can lay a solid foundation for the sector's infrastructure in the future.

Sharing about the results of the WB-funded SFDP and the upcoming implementation plans, the representative of the Agricultural Project Management Board (Agricultural CPO) stated that efforts have been made to meet the schedule requirements of MARD and the WB. Although the funding has not been allocated yet and the preparation process for feasibility study has had to be adjusted and supplemented according to local feedback and the Government’s regulations on certain provisions and measures for implementing the Law on Fisheries.

Specifically, regarding progress, the Agricultural CPO has completed the feasibility study report for the entire project and for all 7 sub-projects, and has sent the reports to the People's Committees of the 6 participating provinces for feedback on the scale of the sub-projects. By August, the Agricultural CPO is expected to submit the feasibility study report to the Ministry for appraisal, complete consultations with relevant agencies on the report, and finalize the compensation policy framework, among other tasks.

The Agricultural CPO stated that the total investment for the feasibility study phase is 118.51 million USD, including 83.6 million USD in IBRD loans from the WB, 1.61 million USD in non-refundable aid from IDH and WWF, and 33.4 million USD in counterpart funds.

Addressing issues with construction planning, land use planning, and the completion of the feasibility study report for the project, the Agricultural CPO proposed that the WB promptly guide the procedures for adjusting the GEF-8 grant project proposal. The CPO also requested that the WB develop project appraisal and send it to MARD to facilitate working with relevant ministries. Additionally, they asked the WB to provide technical consulting support within the country, sending experts to collaborate with Vietnamese experts to quickly and uniformly develop the feasibility study report.

Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien indicated that MARD will urge the provinces of Thái Bình and Thanh Hóa to promptly complete and approve detailed construction planning to meet the progress requirements for the overall project feasibility study report. Moreover, the Ministry will request Thai Binh and Kien Giang provinces to expedite the approval of land use planning for the Thuy Tan fishing port sub-project and the Kiên Giang major fisheries center sub-project.

MARD leaders stated that the Ministry will directly address administrative procedure obstacles to facilitate receiving financial support from the WB for the project.

Ms. Mona Sur emphasized that the fisheries sector is crucial and pivotal to the Vietnamese economy and the livelihood of its people. Therefore, the WB is committed to supporting Vietnam in this field.

"The journey of preparing for the SFDP project has spanned six years, a long process and the two sides agreed to present the project to the WB leadership in 2024," she said.

The WB representative expressed delight at the update on the preparation process for the feasibility study report approval by MARD and the provinces, stressing the importance of this approval for the WB to proceed with internal appraisal procedures and complete project approval by the end of this year.

The WB confirmed that all possible resources have been mobilized to support the main project. For any gaps and areas needing support, the two sides will continue to work together to find and implement appropriate solutions.