The Mekong delta city of Can Tho has set a target of earning an export value of 1.65 billion USD in 2014, including 516.5 million USD from rice, and 488 million USD from seafood.

The goal is 150 million USD higher than that in 2013, according to the municipal Trade and Industry Department.

Duong Nghia Hiep, vice director of the department revealed that the city plans to export 1 million tonnes of rice, 140,000 tonnes above the volume recorded in 2013.

Rice exporters have been directed to push up promotion activities and seek more outlets in Asia, Africa, the European Union and North America.

Meanwhile rice businesses have invested heavily in modern processing, polishing and packaging technology to raise the quality of their exported rice.

They have proactively dealt with foreign customers and consumers to better serve their needs.

In seafood, Can Tho plans to sell 200,000 tonnes of mainly shrimp and tra fish abroad, 30,000 tonnes higher than 2013’s figure.

In order to increase the added value for the product, the city has reinforced the monitoring of the quality and safety of exports to meet stricter requirements of foreign markets.

The city plans to expand its aquaculture area to 14,000 hectares along with working with localities in the Mekong delta region to ensure the supply of fish and shrimp for processing export products are met.

Can Tho has trade relationships with over 80 countries and territories from across the world. Besides the traditional markets of Japan, the US and the EU, the city has also expanded its export markets to the Middle East, North Africa and Eastern Europe.

It is currently leading regional localities in per capita income, with 62.9 million VND (2,989 USD), 357 USD above last year’s level.-VNA