Central Retail to become a bridge connecting agriculture between Vietnam and Thailand

During his working trip to Thailand, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Tran Thanh Nam worked with leaders of the Central Group and Central Retail - CRC, the leading retail group in Thailand and discussed a number of issues on cooperation to develop the value chain of Vietnamese agricultural products, especially the lychee which is entering harvest crop. 

Willing to create advantageous conditions 

At the meeting, the two parties agreed on the methods to ensure the smooth distribution of Vietnamese lychee to the retail system of the group in Vietnam and Thailand. Central Retail is committed to selling lychee at its supermarket systems such as TOP, and Central Foodhall among others in Thailand. 

Speaking to Mr. Pascal Billaud - Chief People Official of the Central Group, Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam underlined that MARD is willing to help and create favorable conditions for the Central Retail Group to operate in Vietnam, especially in the sector of agricultural products retail. 

Besides, MARD also urged the group to expand more retail sites to difficult areas, which not only helps address the livelihoods of local people but also establishes confidence among farmers and customers. 

On June 2, Central Retail is projected to hold the "Fruit Festival" in Thailand, which coincides with the Mid-year Festival on the Lunar May 5 of Vietnam, the Deputy Minister considered it a meaningful occasion with the hope that Central Retail would implement a number of similar activities in Vietnam, attaching with the customs of Vietnamese consumers, farmers to build trust in the group. 

"In the Mid-year Festival, the offerings of Vietnamese people are sold in Central Group's supermarkets, so the group can create favorable conditions for consumers to access items with excellent quality on this occasion", the leader of MARD shared. 

At the meeting, Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam expressed his appreciation for the contributions of Central Retail Group to Vietnamese agriculture when promoting Vietnamese agricultural products to the Thailand market. 

Over the previous period, the group has also supplied a number of community livelihood initiatives related to Central Retail's supermarket system, which is anticipated to be promoted alongside the commercial boost. 

The bridge for the value chain 

Regarding the growth of the agricultural market, Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam emphasized that Vietnam is creating an agricultural value chain encompassing farmers, cooperatives, and production, distribution, and exporting businesses. 

He stated, "Vietnam's vision is to construct an agricultural supply chain that is not confined to Vietnam but expands to the international market." 

Currently, the Prime Minister has tasked MARD with coordinating with the Ministry of Industry and Trade to construct a supply chain of agricultural products for the international market. The aim is not to be small-scale, but to develop a role comparable to that of world-famous corporations like Central Group. 

"Therefore, we want the group to assist the connection between Vietnamese businesses and the Central Retail value chain. In addition, we expect that the group will serve as a connection between Vietnamese and Thai firms in the field of agriculture, both in the Vietnamese and Thai markets, particularly for strong commodities like rice, coffee, and rubber "Deputy Minister brought up the idea.   

Regarding the establishment of the One commune One product (OCOP) program, the deputy minister stated that it aims to promote the strength of agricultural products in each rural area, as well as the intelligence, capacity, and training of farmers in accordance with domestic and international standards and requirements. 

MARD stated that Vietnam owns about 8,000 OCOP products, including around 20 five-star products that were selected as gifts that Vietnamese officials presented to international counterparts during their work trips abroad. 

Central Retail also operated booths in Vietnam's main supermarkets to promote OCOP goods. Moreover, Vietnam has learned a great deal from Thailand's OTOP initiative, which includes over 100,000 goods. 

In addition, the MARD official requested that the company act as a gateway for Vietnamese delegations to exchange, discuss, and learn from Thailand's production experience of OTOP goods and vice versa for Vietnam's OCOP products. 

Mr. Tran Thanh Nam continued, "This is a great chance for Central Retail to assess and research the potential of Vietnamese OCOP goods to incorporate them into its retail system, as well as for the farmers and cooperatives of the two countries to meet and exchange." 

Mr. Pascal Billaud, on behalf of Central Group and Central Retail, acknowledged that Vietnam and Thailand are key markets and pledged assistance for the development of Vietnamese goods, farmers, and OCOP on the Thai market. 

In addition, Central Retail will continue to foster a positive relationship between the two sides, including the exports of agricultural goods. 

"We will focus on Mr. Deputy Minister's suggestions for connecting the farmers and cooperatives of the two nations. Despite many obstacles, we have professionals in charge of receiving initiatives and promoting the construction of an agricultural value chain between the two nations ", Mr. Pascal Billaid added. 

Additionally, the CEO of Central Retail Group noted that a lot of Vietnamese agricultural goods are already available in supermarkets in Thailand and are favored by customers.