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Vietnamese diplomats in Egypt deny catfish information
The Commercial Bureau at the Vietnamese Embassy in Egypt has played down a report that was printed in Al Ahram, Egypt’s largest newspaper, which wrongly said that Vietnam’s tra catfish are being farmed in polluted and non-hygienic conditions and suggested that Egyptians boycott the products.
Recognizing the false information may reduce Vietnam’s catfish and seafood exportation to Egypt, the Embassy in Cairo sent a diplomatic note to the newspaper to affirm the prestige of Vietnam’s catfish products on the world market, including entry into strict markets such as the U.S. and the European Union.
In Egypt, Vietnam’s catfish products are tested by local quality assurance agencies before reaching consumers. The Commercial Bureau said that Egyptian catfish importers have reacted similarly to the false information.
Focus Company, one of Egypt’s catfish importers, contacted the Al Ahram newspaper and learned that the reporter relied on information from Egypt’s general authority for fishery and domestic producers. Focus then offered to sponsor Al Ahram with a trip to Vietnam to inspect catfish farming.
Vietnam’s catfish exports to Egypt have surged in recent years, reaching over US$20 million and US$63 million in export value in 2007 and 2008 respectively, with catfish products accounting for nearly 90% of the total.
Vietnam’s representative offices in Egypt have asked for cooperation from relevant departments and the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers to protect catfish exports to Egypt.
VietNamNet/SGT
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