Local shrimp producers discuss shrimp farming technology at the Day for Connecting Fishery Enterprises in Ca Mau on June 17. At the event, the Viet Nam Sustainable Shrimp Alliance was set up. — Photo toquoc.vn

The Viet Nam Sustainable Shrimp Alliance (VSSA) was set up on Monday to promote sustainable production in an important agricultural sector in Viet Nam.

A memorandum of understanding establishing the VSSA was signed by 30 of Viet Nam’s shrimp suppliers in Ca Mau, a province in the Mekong Delta – the aquaculture hub of Viet Nam.

VSSA will not only help ensure standard farming facilities, food supply and infrastructure but also create a self-contained production chain for Viet Nam’s shrimp sector.

Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Le Van Su said the VSSA's foundation will help address a number of challenges faced by the nation's shrimp sector, including growing demand for clean and environmentally friendly products.

The alliance was established under the framework of the Day for Connecting Fisheries Enterprises, held by the People's Committee of Ca Mau with support from the Government’s Private Economic Development Research Board, the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch programme and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

Nguyen Duc Tung, executive director of the board’s office, said the event was organised to connect businesses and promote co-operation between local seafood enterprises and foreign companies. Organisers hope enterprises will be able to increase exports, develop new markets and improve the value of their seafood products.

In 2018, Viet Nam experienced a year-on-year decline of 7.8 per cent in shrimp export value to US$3.6 billion. It aims to export about $4.2 billion of shrimp products this year. — VNS