The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has asked the Ministryof Industry and Trade to limit import quotas for salt throughout 2012to only 102,000 tonnes in a bid to support domestic salt production.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) Diep KinhTan said a 102,000-tonne quota for salt imports is in line with thecountry's World Trade Organisation (WTO) commitments, adding Vietnamonly needs to import high-quality salt for use by some processingindustries.
The ministry has forecast that this year thecountry's total salt supply will reach 1.52 million tonnes, includinglocally-produced salt, stockpiled salt and imported salt. Meanwhile,salt consumption is estimated to stand at around 1.45 million tonnes. Asa result, salt supply will exceed demand by 70,000 tonnes.
This year, around 2,000 tonnes of salt will be used by the health caresector and 51,000 tonnes is needed for production of chemicals.
Under the country's commitment to the WTO, Vietnam is allowed toimport 191,000 tonnes of salt under a tariff quota that can increase by amaximum of 5 percent per year.
Tan said this year theministry predicts the volume of locally-produced industrial salt willreach 280,000 tonnes. Therefore, MARD will ask the Ministry of Industryand Trade to instruct chemical manufacturers to work out theirproduction plans in order to ensure supplies of enough quality salt forthem.
In addition, MARD asked the Ministry of Industry andTrade to supervise imports of salt to ensure it was used forproduction, not for local sales.
Those who violated the regulation will be fined by authorities, said Tan.-VNA
Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) Diep KinhTan said a 102,000-tonne quota for salt imports is in line with thecountry's World Trade Organisation (WTO) commitments, adding Vietnamonly needs to import high-quality salt for use by some processingindustries.
The ministry has forecast that this year thecountry's total salt supply will reach 1.52 million tonnes, includinglocally-produced salt, stockpiled salt and imported salt. Meanwhile,salt consumption is estimated to stand at around 1.45 million tonnes. Asa result, salt supply will exceed demand by 70,000 tonnes.
This year, around 2,000 tonnes of salt will be used by the health caresector and 51,000 tonnes is needed for production of chemicals.
Under the country's commitment to the WTO, Vietnam is allowed toimport 191,000 tonnes of salt under a tariff quota that can increase by amaximum of 5 percent per year.
Tan said this year theministry predicts the volume of locally-produced industrial salt willreach 280,000 tonnes. Therefore, MARD will ask the Ministry of Industryand Trade to instruct chemical manufacturers to work out theirproduction plans in order to ensure supplies of enough quality salt forthem.
In addition, MARD asked the Ministry of Industry andTrade to supervise imports of salt to ensure it was used forproduction, not for local sales.
Those who violated the regulation will be fined by authorities, said Tan.-VNA
