(VOVworld) – A conference on measures to assist fishermen developing marine economy was held in Phu Yen province on Sunday.

(Photo: qdnd.vn)

As of this October, Vietnam had over 117,000 fishing boats. Under the Party’s Resolution on Marine Economy and the Vietnam Marine Strategy until 2020, fishing infrastructure and logistics have been built in provinces from Quang Ninh to Ca Mau.

Functional agencies have helped fishermen build 1,400 ships at a cost of 1.3 trillion VND. Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Vu Van Tam said: "The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in collaboration with banks will submit to the government a special credit program for fishermen. We will have a policy to upgrade off-shore fishing boats in the near future."

Chairman of the National Assembly’s Committee for Economic Affairs Nguyen Van Giau said it’s important to improve state management on marine economy, especially policies on fishermen, fisheries, fishing grounds, social security, and loans to upgrade boats. Giau said that marine economy aims not only at poverty reduction for coastal people but also at national defense.