Vietnam's seafood export sector recorded a positive performance in the first half of this year with an estimated revenue of US$5.7 billion, representing an 11 percent growth compared to the same period last year. However, behind these optimistic figures, industry players face serious challenges due to high logistics costs, limited access to credit, and the complexity of administrative regulations that hinder the smooth distribution of goods to international markets.
The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (Vasep) highlighted that many proposals for policy improvement submitted to relevant ministries remain stalled in slow bureaucratic processes. Delays in resolving these hurdles are deemed to risk eroding the competitiveness of national products, especially as businesses lose crucial momentum when global markets demand highly timely deliveries.
The main issues complained of by business operators include export certificate issuance mechanisms that remain inconsistent between central and local governments, as well as high compliance cost burdens. Vasep specifically requested a review of tax regulations and administrative procedures to create a more transparent and efficient trade ecosystem, allowing companies to reallocate their resources toward product quality improvements and technological investment.
Responding to this, Vietnam's Ministry of Industry and Trade stated its commitment to continue facilitating the export sector by conducting periodic evaluations of various procedures. Although some operational constraints have been addressed, challenges related to cross-ministerial regulations that require legal amendments are acknowledged to still require longer coordination time.
The increasingly protectionist global economic conditions, combined with strict technical standards and product traceability requirements from partner countries, demand the government to be more agile. Industry players emphasize that success in achieving the double-digit export growth target heavily depends on how quickly the government can simplify bureaucracy and create a business climate conducive to the global supply chain.
