EuroCham to strengthen Vietnam’s import and export turnover of agricultural goods
Vietnam’s Agriculture and Rural Development and European Business Association recently exchanged views and suggestions to promote the agricultural export chain and enhance integration between Vietnamese and EU businesses.
Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Tran Thanh Nam held a meeting with Gabor Fluit, Asia Managing Director of De Heus Group (Netherlands) and President of the European Business Association. (Eurocham) in Vietnam.
Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam said that “the import and export of agricultural products between Vietnam and the European Union (EU) has slowed down recently. According to our information, in the first quarter of 2023, import and export turnover of agricultural products reached $1.2 billion, down 14% compared to the same period in 2022 (about $1.4 billion). This is a matter of concern, and we are delighted to welcome the members of the European Business Association in Vietnam. We are ready to listen to recommendations from Eurocham, our view is how to promote trade between the two sides.”
Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam assessed that 2023 will be a difficult year, especially in the field of agricultural products import and export. To boost imports and export turnover, the Deputy Minister expressed boosting and fostering European and Vietnamese businesses.
President of the European Business Association for 2023 – 2025, Gabor Fluit who is also the first President appointed by the European Chamber of Commerce (EuroCham) to strengthen the agricultural sector in Vietnam, emphasized the export of Vietnamese agricultural products to Europe.
Minister Tran Thanh Nam suggested partnering with the European Union and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to organize a forum to discuss two issues more deeply. First, an exchange on food safety issues focuses on administrative procedures, helping businesses better understand agriculture’s operating mechanisms. The second is examining food safety supply chain practices.
“We can successfully build a safe food supply chain between European and Vietnamese businesses, associated with reducing greenhouse gas emissions” stressed Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam.
A number of forums of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development revolve around “food safety” and “reducing greenhouse gas emissions”. Since COP26, Vietnam has implemented many forest carbon projects, built a project of 1 million hectares of high-quality rice, and reduced emissions in Dong by the Mekong River to implement its commitment at COP26. In the Central Highlands coffee material area, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is working to reduce emissions and develop sustainably.
