KIÊN GIANG — Mekong Delta’s Kiên Giang Province earned US$170 million from exports in the first six months of this year, accounting for 42 per cent of the annual target and up 2.6 per cent from the same period last year.

These statistics were reported by the provincial Department of Industry and Trade.

The growth was boosted by the increase in the export of frozen fish (up 30 per cent), frozen squid and octopus (up 30.5 per cent) and frozen shrimps (up 14 per cent) thanks to the growing demand in traditional markets, namely Japan, the Republic of Korea and the European Union.

The export of other products, including instant noodles, canned fish and cooking oil, to Cambodia also enjoyed a growth rate of 31 per cent compared with the same period last year.

Many local exporters have taken the initiative in seeking foreign partners and stepped up the application of technology to better meet product quality requirements of import markets.

Trade and investment promotion activities have been organised both at home and abroad, while local enterprises have been supported to join domestic and overseas trade fairs, such as Australia Day, THAIEX in Thailand, Việt Nam-Israel Business Forum in HCM City and the International Agricultural Festival of Mekong Delta 2017 in Cần Thơ City.

In the remaining months of this year, Kiên Giang will continue implementing comprehensive measures to boost exports in a bid to surpass the year’s target by $400 million.

Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Phạm Vũ Hồng said trade promotion activities will be increased, particularly in traditional markets, while seeking new potential markets for the province’s products.

More investment will be made in key production areas to produce clean and high-quality agricultural products, particularly rice and shrimps, to ensure sufficient supply for processing and export.

Financial assistance will be offered to local exporters that are in need of funds so that they can apply technologies in processing to increase value of products with high competitiveness.

The province will also ensure material supply for processing, human resources and preferential loans to promote exports during Christmas, New Year and lunar New Year. — VNS