The Vietnamese National Assembly approved a VND16 trillion (USD761.9 million) package to provide support to local fishermen and the Vietnamese Coast Guard in the turbulent waters of the East Sea.

Fishermen to benefit from the VND16 trillion package

The package, approved on June 9, will be spent on off-shore fishermen and buying equipment for the Coast Guard and fishery resources surveillance forces.

Earlier, at a National Assembly discussion on the national socio-economic situation and state budget spending, National Assembly Vice Chairwoman, Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, mentioned the possibility of offering VND16 trillion for fishermen, the Coast Guard and fishery resources surveillance forces.

Several National Assembly deputies supported the package because of tensions on the East Sea.

Deputy Do Van Duong recommended that purchases of public cars for state-owned agencies should be ceased and that overseas trips for officials be restricted to offset the cost of the package. At this time, resource and spending priorities of the state budget should be the Coast Guard and fishermen.

Tran Du Lich, Deputy from HCM City, said that VND16 trillion may not be sufficient for Coast Guard forces and fishermen. He suggested cutting other spending.