Towards a new era of Vietnam-France agricultural cooperation

On the morning of November 19, Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien met with a delegation from the Mouvement des Entreprises de France (MEDEF), led by Mr. Francois Corbin, to discuss fostering economic cooperation and investment between the two countries.

During the meeting, MEDEF, the largest employer federation in France, expressed a keen interest in exploring extensive collaboration opportunities with Vietnam, particularly in enhancing the value of food industries, food security, and organic agriculture. The delegation also sought information on Vietnamese incentives for the animal feed, livestock nutrition, and dairy sectors, aiming to assess the potential contributions of the French private sector to these priority areas.

Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien expressed gratitude for France's consistent support for Vietnam. He emphasized that Vietnam always strives to be a reliable partner to other countries while actively contributing to the sustainable development of the international community.

 "Agriculture is a sector that receives special attention from the Government and the State, affirming its outstanding advantages. With an expected economic growth rate of over 7%, the agriculture sector is projected to grow by approximately 4%. Vietnamese agricultural products have been exported to more than 200 countries and territories, with export turnover expected to reach USD 62 billion in 2024, securing a strong position in the global market.", Deputy Minister highlighted.

Furthermore, the potential and advantages in the fields of livestock and irrigation remain vast. The irrigation system, with well-planned reservoirs, dams, and dykes, not only supports agricultural production but also ensures disaster prevention. The livestock sector has now established a comprehensive legal framework, including a system of laws, decrees, circulars, strategies, and projects. Related areas such as breeding technology, animal feed, slaughtering and processing, environmental management, scientific research, and human resource training are playing a crucial role in promoting the sustainable development of the sector.

Mr. François Corbin, Vice President of MEDEF International, highly appreciated the immense potential of Vietnam's agriculture sector, noting that the meeting between the French President and the General Secretary of Vietnam had provided significant momentum for bilateral cooperation. He emphasized that France possesses advanced expertise and technology in areas such as deep processing, ensuring food security, and reducing carbon footprints, which align well with Vietnam's development goals. As a result, French private enterprises are actively seeking opportunities for collaboration and investment between the two countries.

For instance, the OLMIX Group promises to work with Vietnam to enhance the clean food supply chain through the use of seaweed to reduce carbon emissions in agriculture, limit pesticide usage, and manage methane emissions from shrimp farming ponds while optimizing the value derived from seaweed. OLMIX has worked with Nha Trang and other agricultural stakeholders to develop large-scale projects aimed at sustainable production.

In addition, French businesses are considering establishing production facilities for dairy, meat, and seafood products in Vietnam to meet global export demands. They are also dispatching experts to provide knowledge in irrigation and agricultural water management, sharing solutions to ensure water resources for large-scale production, meeting the needs of millions of people. Furthermore, they are researching and implementing modern models to help Vietnamese agriculture sector adapt to climate change.

The collaborative projects and investment opportunities discussed during the meeting are considered highly compatible with Vietnam's agricultural needs and strengths. Particularly, in the context of the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) having been signed, a favorable legal framework is now in place to facilitate investments between the two sides.

Vietnamese Deputy PM assigned the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, to work directly with French enterprises, and connect them with Vietnamese companies and localities in specific projects. "All collaborative projects between the two parties must be based on the principles of human resource development, technology transfer, joint investment in digital transformation, green transition..." the Deputy Prime Minister said.