The meeting was well-attended by prominent figures from both countries. On the Vietnamese side, the delegation included representatives from various key departments within the Department of Fisheries, such as the Office of the Department, the Division of Science, Technology and International cooperation, the Division of Fisheries exploitation, and the Division of Aquaculture. Mrs. Aminath Shafia led the Maldivian delegation, which comprised representatives from several relevant agencies within the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine resources.
The session began with Director General Trần Đình Luân providing a comprehensive overview of the current state and recent developments in Vietnam's fisheries sector. He highlighted the significant strides made in both aquaculture and fisheries exploitation, emphasizing the importance of strategic planning and sustainable practices. Mr. Trần Đình Luân outlined the future directions for the sector, aiming to leverage Vietnam's strengths and address existing challenges.
Mr. Trần Đình Luân noted that the Maldives possesses immense potential in the fisheries sector, particularly in marine fisheries exploitation. The Maldives's unique geographical advantage, with over 26,000 islands, provides an excellent opportunity for developing aquaculture and fisheries. He pointed out that this could transform the fisheries sector into a pivotal component of the Maldivian economy. Vietnam, with its extensive experience in fisheries development, sees great potential for collaboration. The natural conditions and economic potential of both countries share similarities, making them ideal partners for knowledge exchange and joint ventures in fisheries development.
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Mrs. Aminath Shafia expressed her deep admiration for the achievements of Vietnam's fisheries sector. She was particularly impressed by Vietnam's innovative policies and effective management practices, which have significantly boosted the sector's growth. She conveyed her eagerness to learn from Vietnam's experience in formulating development policies and managing the fisheries sector. Mrs. Shafia highlighted the need for the Maldives to enhance its management capabilities to diversify and add value to its fisheries products.
Mrs. Shafia acknowledged that the Maldives currently exploits only a small portion of its abundant fisheries resources, primarily for domestic consumption and tourism. However, she stressed the vast untapped potential, especially for high-value species like tuna and lobster. She expressed a keen interest in understanding Vietnam's techniques and strategies in exploiting and processing these valuable marine resources. She also noted Vietnam's leading position in aquaculture, with significant areas dedicated to fish farming, applying advanced technologies, and meeting international best practice standards. Vietnam's robust processing and export industry for seafood products such as shrimp, pangasius, and lobster also caught her attention, offering valuable lessons for the Maldives.
The meeting delved into various critical issues and potential areas for collaboration. The Maldivian delegation raised inquiries about Vietnam's policies on fisheries insurance, labor attraction for marine exploitation, income policies, and other related aspects. These discussions were aimed at gaining insights into effective practices that could be adapted to help the Maldives transition, diversify, and enhance the capacity of its fisheries sector.
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Mr. Vũ Duyên Hải, Head of the Fisheries exploitation Division at the Department of Fisheries, contributed significantly to the discussions. He provided a detailed overview of Vietnam's fisheries exploitation sector, focusing on the development and export of ocean tuna products. He shared valuable insights into the regulations and management solutions implemented in Vietnam, particularly in combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Mr. Hải highlighted the efforts being made to remove the European Commission's "Yellow Card" warning, emphasizing Vietnam's commitment to sustainable and responsible fisheries management.
The meeting underscored the strategic importance of cooperation between Vietnam and the Maldives in the fisheries sector. Both parties recognized the mutual benefits of sharing knowledge, experiences, and strategies. The discussions paved the way for potential joint initiatives, training programs, and technology transfer to enhance the capabilities of both countries in sustainable fisheries development.
Vietnam's experience in advancing its fisheries sector, through both policy innovation and practical management, offers a valuable model for the Maldives. The meeting concluded with a strong commitment from both sides to explore and implement collaborative projects that would foster growth and sustainability in the fisheries sectors of both nations.
Looking ahead, the collaboration between Vietnam and the Maldives holds promising prospects. By leveraging their respective strengths and learning from each other's experiences, both countries can achieve significant advancements in fisheries development. The exchange of best practices, technological innovations, and management strategies will not only boost the economic potential of the fisheries sector but also contribute to environmental sustainability and the well-being of fishing communities.
The meeting between Director General Trần Đình Luân and Deputy Minister Aminath Shafia marked a significant milestone in the bilateral relations between Vietnam and the Maldives. It set the stage for a fruitful partnership that aims to harness the full potential of the fisheries sector, driving economic growth and ensuring sustainable development for future generations.
Van Tho (Hai Dang translated)