Belarus expresses trust in Vietnam's veterinary system

On the morning of December 7, at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien received and engaged with the Belarusian delegation to enhance trade exchanges and open markets for select agricultural products between the two countries.

Economic and trade cooperation between Belarus and Vietnam has recently declined. In the first ten months of 2023, import-export turnover between the two countries reached 46.4 million USD, a 52.4% decrease compared to the same period in 2022. Vietnam's exports reached 16.1 million USD (a modest increase of 0.1%), while imports decreased to 30.3 million USD (a 64.1% decrease).

Leaders of the Ministries of Agriculture emphasized that the current trade turnover, standing at approximately 100 million USD/year, is modest compared to the production potential of both Belarus and Vietnam. This level does not align with their longstanding and traditional friendship.

In early 2023, Vietnam announced that the boneless beef assessment file provided by Belarus essentially meets food safety requirements. To expedite the export process of Belarusian beef to Vietnam, Mr. Smilgin invited the Vietnamese delegation to physically inspect the beef production chain in Belarus. This visit aims to facilitate Vietnam's importation of agricultural products that Deputy Minister Smilgin regards as "excellently delicious."

Mr. Smilgin expressed, "Our beef products are available in 60 countries and territories, but unfortunately not yet in Vietnam. Therefore, we propose that Vietnam include Belarus in the meat inspection list by 2024. As a veterinarian myself, I want to see Vietnamese colleagues in my country."

Responding to Belarus' invitation, Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien affirmed that Vietnam, with a population of 100 million, represents a highly promising market. Currently, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has granted Belarus the license to export milk and dairy products, while concurrently reviewing documentation for importing meat products, giving priority to beef.

Furthermore, leaders of the Ministry express their hope that Belarus will facilitate Vietnamese agricultural products' access to both Asian and European markets. Mr. Tien emphasized, "Vietnamese agricultural products are distinctive and of high quality, reflecting the unique flavors from our seven ecological regions. Local specialties capture the diverse soil, climate, and ecology characteristics."

Building on Deputy Minister Tien's statements, Director of the Department of Animal Health, Nguyen Van Long, highlighted that Vietnam's agricultural products are exported to numerous countries, benefitting from modern processing systems and advanced technological applications. Vietnam boasts a significant poultry population of 552 million birds and approximately 18 billion poultry eggs. The pig herd exceeds 18 million heads, securing a position among the top 10 pork-producing countries globally.

These robust products from Vietnam, not directly competing with Belarusian offerings, contribute significantly to ensuring food security in Vietnam. Vietnamese businesses have invested in modern equipment and technology adhering to international standards. Therefore, there is optimism that import procedures into Asian and European markets will be promptly streamlined.

Belarusian leaders conveyed that, during a recent meeting of the Eurasian Union, the country committed to supporting businesses seeking to export meat to this market. Mr. Ivan Smilgin further added, "We support Vietnam exporting poultry products to Belarus, and we are prepared to facilitate exchanges, guide your country's businesses, and provide necessary information to the Department of Animal Health.

We have confidence in your country's veterinary system, and therefore, Belarus is willing to streamline the meat product appraisal step, simplifying the process similar to how we have facilitated Vietnam's export of seafood products."

To expedite trade exchanges, Mr. Smilgin proposed organizing bilateral meetings between agricultural enterprises from both countries. Belarus has committed to standing as a guarantor for Vietnamese businesses before the Eurasian Union, facilitating the importation of seafood, coffee, nuts, fruits, rice, and more into Europe.

Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien enthusiastically welcomed Mr. Smilgin's proposal and suggested that both sides collaborate to identify major trading companies that can serve as focal points, streamlining the import and export processes for these diverse products. The leaders of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development pledged to organize a visit to Belarus in 2024, with the aim of completing the necessary procedures to import Belarusian beef into Vietnam.

The head of BelVitunipharm Company, Belarus's oldest state-owned enterprise specializing in veterinary drugs and vaccines, expressed a keen interest in fostering collaboration by exchanging experts in this field between the two countries. The company has already signed cooperation agreements with four Vietnamese enterprises. During this visit, the General Director personally drafted and sent a letter of invitation for cooperation to the leaders of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. He expressed his hope that the veterinary industry in both countries will reach new heights through this collaboration.