A tra processing line. The country’s seafood exports have fallen by more than 14 per cent from the same period last year to US$549 million. — Photo vtc.vn

HÀ NỘI — The Việt Nam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) on Tuesday asked the Ministry of Finance to offer support to its members amid the coronavirus outbreak.

In a document sent to the ministry, VASEP proposed extending payment time for taxes and land rental fees to help businesses, households and individuals operating in the industry which have been affected by the pandemic.

According to VASEP, Việt Nam’s seafood sector employs more than four million people in areas ranging from raising and exploiting to processing, preserving and exporting. COVID-19 has caused serious damage to the sector.

At the end of March, the country’s seafood exports had fallen by more than 14 per cent from the same period last year to US$549 million.

This is why VASEP has asked for the support, which would all include excluding interest on late payments. In addition, land rental fees should be reduced by 20 to 40 per cent while extending leases by at least six months to a year to help firms raise more capital to recover after the pandemic.

The association also asked for seafood producers and exporters to be allowed to defer value added tax payments in 2020. — VNS