European agri-food businesses promote cooperation with Vietnamese partners
The European Union (EU) Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski visited Vietnam from July 10-14, accompanied by a business delegation of 50 senior representatives from the European agri-food sector, representing mainly meat, dairy, fruit and vegetable products. The purpose of this visit is to facilitate European agricultural food and beverage exports and to benefit from the positive outcomes of the entry into force of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) in August 2020.
In order to take stock of the agri-food opportunities under the EVFTA, the EU business delegation organised a business seminar in Hanoi on July 11, focusing on the characteristics of the Vietnamese market and its consumer trends. The delegation also hosted the EU-Vietnam Agri-food Business Forum on July 13, in Ho Chi Minh City. The forum provided a platform for exchange of experiences between the respective business people about marketing of agricultural food and beverage products, sustainable production standards and possible partnerships between the EU and Vietnamese businesses in the South-East Asian markets. The forum facilitated B2B matchmaking meetings between the participating businesses.
Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski said: “Vietnam has become a key partner for the EU in Southeast Asia following the entry into force of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement in 2020. My visit, accompanied by a business delegation of EU agri-food sector representatives, will contribute to take advantage of the new trade opportunities and to showcase the high quality and sustainability standards of EU agri-food production for the benefit of increasingly demanding Vietnamese consumers.”
Le Minh Hoan, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, said: “Vietnam has a comparative advantage in production and a strong supply capacity of several agriculture, forestry and fishery commodities. The sector has been gradually transforming toward high value added, ecology and sustainability. Vietnam promotes FDI from the EU and stimulates establishing alliances between Vietnam and EU enterprises to build complete agricultural supply chains contributing to the transformation process, and ultimately farmers and consumers welfare.”
Pham Tan Cong, Chairman and President of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), said: “As a national trade promotion agency, VCCI has always accompanied domestic businesses in their efforts to develop their operations and seek new commercial investment opportunities, particularly in high-potential regions such as the EU. We think that by participating in this event, Vietnamese businesses in general, and agricultural businesses in particular, will be able to diversify their supply sources and claim agricultural strength. I would encourage all Vietnamese companies to participate today to use this opportunity to get to know EU exporters well and make them be your reliable business partners in the EU.”
