An appreciating currency and rising labor and logistics costs are key challenges to China’s exporters including aquaculture and seafood firms; however investors are keen to invest after The World Bank and HSBC predicted GDP growth to recover to 8.4% and 8.3% respectively in 2013 – up from 7.8% in 2012. Aquatic feed-related company Haid Group listed on the Shenzen Exchange announced in January it will issue USD176.8 million in shares to existing shareholders to fund an expansion of its production base and Dahu Aquaculture co. sought to raise USD48 million in new equity to expand its production of carp, chub, bream, rice wine and aquatic-based pharmaceuticals.