Building agreement on veterinary cooperation between Vietnam and Belarus

During the meeting, Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien stated that the relationship between Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union, and Belarus in particular, is undergoing positive changes.

Regarding economic-trade cooperation, the bilateral trade volume between Vietnam and Belarus in 2022 reached 113.9 million USD (down 40.4% from 2021), with exports from Vietnam to Belarus reaching 21 million USD (down 2.9%) and imports from Belarus into Vietnam reaching 92.9 million USD (down 45.9%).

In the first quarter of 2023, imports and exports between the two countries totaled $18.2 million, down 55.9% from the same period in 2022, with exports totaling $5.34 million (an increase of 83.8%) and imports totaling 12.8 million USD (a decrease of 66.5%).

The major agricultural exports from Vietnam to Belarus are seafood, rice, cassava, cashew nuts, and tea. Additionally, the export of other products, such as tropical fruits, vegetables, and coffee, is being actively promoted. In the opposite direction, Vietnam imports primarily fertilizer from Belarus.

Only 54 Vietnamese seafood processing establishments are permitted to export seafood to the Eurasian Economic Union (Belarus is a member of this Union). Seafood is one of Vietnam's strongest agricultural products, accounting for a large proportion of Vietnam's exports to Belarus. Currently, there are 29 suspended establishments (permitted but temporarily prohibited for review, processing, and remediation) and nearly 100 eligible but unlicensed establishments eligible to export seafood to the Union.

Therefore, Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien proposed that Belarus create favorable conditions for Vietnamese seafood firms to export to the Eurasian Economic Union and encourage Russia to support/include more eligible seafood firms. 

"We have many diverse and bountiful agricultural products, including coffee, rice, cashews, pepper, wood, and non-timber products, fisheries, and livestock, that are available for exchange with Belarus. This could increase the bilateral trade volume to reflect the potential for cooperation between the two parties, as stated by Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien.

During the meeting, Belarusian Ambassador Uladzimir Baravikou stated that the two countries have exchanged agricultural cooperation since October 2022. The Ambassador also expressed his hope to expedite the Department of Animal Health's inspection of boneless beef production enterprises in Belarus by the end of this year or in 2024.

Mr. Nguyen Van Long, Director of the Department of Animal Health, disclosed at the meeting that the two countries' agencies have discussed the export of animals and animal products since 2018. In 2020, Vietnam authorized Belarus to export milk and dairy products. Beginning in 2023, Vietnam also announced that, according to the evaluation dossier provided by Belarus, boneless beef essentially met Vietnam's requirements. This demonstrates that the Department actively collaborated to achieve positive outcomes.

The Department of Animal Health is currently concluding the import risk assessment and plans to conduct an on-site inspection of the Belarusian boneless beef supply chain in 2026.

Director Nguyen Van Long explained that Vietnam and Belarus have not yet established a cooperation agreement in the field of veterinary services. As a large and densely populated market, Vietnam attracts exports of animals and animal products from numerous countries, including dozens that have negotiated with Vietnam for many years. In addition, as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic in recent years, the Department of Animal Health must organize human resources to conduct the evaluation in accordance with standard practices and procedures.

Ambassador Uladzimir Baravikou stated that he would propose to the Belarusian side that the two countries develop the content of a draft veterinary cooperation agreement as a foundation for trade in animals and animal products.

Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien concurred with the concept of drafting a veterinary cooperation agreement between the two countries and stated that he would instruct the Department of Animal Health to coordinate with the Belarusian side to finalize the draft's content. Vietnam wishes to export animals and animal products to Belarus in a similar vein.

Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien proposed that the two sides collaborate to introduce Belarusian technology and livestock varieties to Vietnamese businesses, as well as to facilitate the exchange, sharing, and transfer of technology between businesses on both sides.