Cooperation on Halal products with Vietnam is a one of Saudi Arabia’s priorities

During an official visit by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to Saudi Arabia on October 29, the MARD delegation led by Deputy Minister Hoang Trung met with the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA). Mr. Hisham S. Aljadhey, Director-General of SFDA, and his colleagues received the Vietnamese delegation.

In the meeting, Deputy Minister Hoang Trung expressed his appreciation for the positive cooperation of Saudi authorities, particularly the SFDA, in promoting agro-forestry-fishery product (AFFP) trade between the two countries. Vietnam acknowledges Saudi Arabia as a significant market and an important collaborator in the Middle East.

Deputy Minister Hoang Trung requested that the SFDA consider lifting Directive No. 21174, which temporarily suspended the import of Vietnamese farmed fishery products, to increase AFF exports between the two countries and capitalize on the robust relationship between the two countries.

Mr. Hisham S. Aljadhey, Director-General of SFDA, confirmed that a technical delegation would shortly visit Vietnam to evaluate the country's aquaculture production's food safety control systems. This assessment could serve as the foundation for completely lifting the suspension on Vietnamese farmed fishery imports.

During the meeting, Deputy Minister Hoang Trung also provided information regarding the recent National Halal Conference on October 22, which was convened by the Prime Minister and focused on the theme "Leveraging Internal Strengths and Enhancing International Cooperation to Advance Vietnam's Halal Industry."

The Halal market offers significant opportunities for collaboration within the context of international economic cooperation. In 2028, the global Halal market is anticipated to reach USD 10 trillion, with the Muslim population projected to reach 2.8 billion by 2050.

The objective of Vietnam is to establish a partnership with Saudi Arabia in the production and certification of Halal products. The Deputy Minister asked Saudi Arabia to offer market insights and preferences so Vietnamese agricultural goods may enter the Saudi Halal food market. He also requested that the SFDA share policies and regulations regarding the mutual recognition of Halal certification, with a particular emphasis on livestock products, aquaculture, and crops.

Mr. Hisham S. Aljadhey said that the Saudi government is carrying out its Vision 2030 plan. Cooperation on Halal products with Vietnam, especially AFFP, is one of the priorities for Saudi Arabia.

The SFDA is prepared to provide Vietnamese authorities with its knowledge and regulations regarding Halal certification. Mr. Aljadhey suggested that MARD consider the possibility of signing a Memorandum of Understanding with Saudi Arabia in this regard.

Agreeing with SFDA's request, Deputy Minister Hoang Trung would guide pertinent Ministry departments to address this idea with the SFDA and the Saudi Embassy in Vietnam.