Decision No. 103/2000/QĐ-TTg On Certain Policies to Encourage the Development of Aquatic Seed

Pursuant to …;

On certain policies to encourage the development of aquatic seed

___________________________

PRIME MINISTER

Pursuant to the Government Organization Law dated September 30, 1992;

Considering the proposal of the Minister of Fisheries,

DECISION:

Article 1. Encourage and create conditions for organizations, households, and individuals from all economic sectors within the country and foreign investors to invest in the field of protecting and developing aquatic seed with the aim of:

1. Producing sufficient seed meeting quality standards at reasonable prices to supply the aquaculture industry among the people, including freshwater, brackish water, and marine seeds both inland and at sea;

2. Protecting and developing natural breeding stock resources to ensure sustainable aquatic resource development.

Article 2. Aquatic seed science and technology must meet requirements to serve aquaculture and resource development in the direction of:

1. For aquatic species that already have artificial seed production technology, it is necessary to ensure adequate production of good, disease-free seed to supply locally throughout the country. Minimize as much as possible the transportation of seed from one region to another to ensure quality and reduce seed costs.

2. For promising aquaculture species that have initial experience with seed production technology but are not yet complete, urgent research must be conducted to perfect this technology for widespread application in production.

3. For promising aquaculture species where current research to develop artificial seed production technology is still difficult, scientific research in this area must be intensified, while encouraging imports to meet domestic aquaculture needs.

The importation of aquatic seed not included in the prohibited list (announced by the Ministry of Commerce upon the proposal of the Ministry of Fisheries) does not require a permit, but must undergo quarantine procedures as prescribed by law.

4. For regions with natural seed sources, planning and specific management regulations must be established, with plans to supplement artificial breeding stock into nature.

Article 3. Organizations, households, and individuals requiring land and water surfaces for investment in seed production shall be prioritized by provincial People's Committees and local authorities for resolution and shall enjoy preferential policies on land use fees and rental fees.

Article 4. Investment and credit

1. State budget (including public expenditure funds) shall be invested in:

a) Institutes and centers for fisheries research performing tasks to protect aquatic genetic resources;

b) Production of original seed;

c) Importation of original seed, new seed, valuable seed with potential for domestication for wide-scale production; importation of high-yield and quality seed production technologies, primarily focusing on technologies for major farmed species with export potential;

d) Production of seed for release into natural waters in designated areas. The Ministry of Fisheries, the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Environment shall coordinate with localities to plan and develop proposals to protect natural spawning grounds of aquatic species for submission to the Government for decision;

đ) Construction of some national seed centers as needed in various regions;

e) Increase funding for fishery promotion for central and local levels, ensuring an annual budget of approximately 20 billion VND (with the central level contributing 10 billion VND), prioritizing the transfer of aquatic seed production technology;

f) Provincial People's Committees shall allocate part of their local budget to support organizations, households, and individuals engaged in seed production.

Investments in seed development using the above-mentioned budget sources (a, b, c, d, đ) must have specific projects submitted for approval by the competent authority. The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Planning and Investment must balance these projects in the annual plan, ensuring sufficient capital for them.

2. Credit capital.

a) State investment credit: From 2000 to 2005, approximately 10 trillion VND from the Development Support Fund shall be available for organizations, households, and individuals to borrow, prioritizing household loans for seed production, including basic construction and working capital.

Organizations, households, and individuals borrowing state credit must establish loan projects. If these projects do not require land leasing, the project leader decides independently. If land leasing is required, the project must be approved by the provincial People's Committee. Project implementation does not require bidding.

Organizations, households, and individuals borrowing state credit may use assets formed with borrowed capital as collateral; each project can borrow up to 1.0 billion VND; the maximum repayment period is five years; interest rates on borrowed capital follow the current regulations of the Development Support Fund;

b) Commercial credit: The State Bank of Vietnam directs commercial banks to provide sufficient capital for organizations, households, and individuals to produce seed; interest rates and loan periods follow current regulations; loans under 50 million VND do not require collateral. Provincial People's Committees may subsidize part of the interest rate on loans for organizations, households, and individuals producing seed based on specific conditions in their province.

c) The Ministry of Science, Technology, and Environment prioritizes funding for experimental projects on seed production; the National Science and Technology Development Support Fund prioritizes credit with favorable conditions or preferential interest rates for research and application of scientific and technological advances in seed production.

Article 5. Implement tax incentives and reductions according to the detailed provisions of Decree No. 51/1999/NĐ-CP dated July 8, 1999, on the Implementation of the Law on Encouraging Domestic Investment (amended).

Article 6. The Ministry of Fisheries shall direct and guide research and training institutions in the fisheries sector and mobilize external scientific forces to participate in seed research and production. Encourage research and training institutions to assist or cooperate, joint venture, or associate with households and individuals in seed production.

Article 7. The Ministry of Fisheries shall plan and implement training programs for technical staff (including overseas training) to have leading personnel in seed development; in the annual basic construction plan, prioritize investment in research institutes and centers so that these facilities can quickly have the conditions and capacity to conduct seed research at par with regional and international standards.

The fishery promotion programs must strengthen training and instruction for farmers and fishermen on knowledge related to seed production, disease prevention, and improving seed quality.

The State shall create favorable conditions for organizations, households, and individuals with the need to hire foreign experts to transfer technology for seed production.

The Ministry of Fisheries shall coordinate with the People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities to effectively perform state management over aquatic seed.

Article 8. THIS DECISION SHALL TAKE EFFECT 15 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF SIGNATURE.

Article 9. The Ministers of Fisheries, Planning and Investment, Finance, Science, Technology and Environment, Trade, Education and Training; the Head of the Civil Service Organization Department under the Government; the Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam; the Directors General of the Customs General Department and the Land Administration General Department; the Chairperson of the Management Board of the Development Support Fund; and the Chairpersons of the People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities are responsible for implementing this Decision.