Cooperation to promote Vietnamese agricultural products in South Korea

The workshop was organized to create a space for the two sides to meet, exchange, and agree on a number of contents to promote bilateral economic and trade relations between the Trade Promotion Centre for Agriculture (Agritrade) and the government of Goyang city. Thereby, strengthening trade promotion activities, promoting and connecting agricultural products, and agricultural tourism between the two countries. At the same time, the workshop aims to create opportunities for Vietnamese and South Korean businesses to directly trade, exchange, and cooperate.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Tien, Director of the Trade Promotion Centre for Agriculture, said that Vietnam has great potential and spare ground for developing agricultural and specialty products and is also one of the world's leading exporters of agricultural products.

Currently, the Government of Vietnam has made strong commitments to bring net emissions to "zero" by 2050 (at COP26) and actively contribute to world environmental protection. Therefore, with its important role in the economy, the agriculture sector is making strong changes and developing in a green and sustainable direction.

Vietnam and South Korea have upgraded their relationship to a "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership." The trade exchange of agricultural products between the two countries has shown remarkable development in recent years. The export value of Vietnam's agricultural, forestry, and aquatic products to South Korea in 2023 increased three times compared to 2010 and accounted for 5% of the total import value of agricultural, forestry, and aquatic products in South Korea.

In addition, cooperative relationships in the fields of culture, labor, etc. have also been promoted. Currently, the Vietnamese community ranks second among foreign communities in South Korea. This is considered a potential market for domestic agricultural products.

According to Mr. Tien, localities in Vietnam not only have strengths in agricultural production but also have great potential to develop rural tourism and experiential and exploratory tourism. In order to maximize this advantage, the Government of Vietnam has approved the program "Rural Tourism Development Associated with New Rural Construction."

Agritrade has the function of promoting agricultural trade; displaying and introducing OCOP products, high-quality products, craft village products, national products, and regional specialties; and providing information, communication, market forecasts, and agricultural product trade connections in regions nationwide. At the same time, participating in training, coaching, and transferring technology on agricultural trade promotion; developing agricultural product brands; consulting on rural tourism services; and supporting agricultural logistics and international cooperation on agricultural trade promotion.

Therefore, it is hoped that Goyang city, with its strengths and experience, will support the center to further boost activities promoting Vietnamese agricultural products in the South Korean market.

At the same time, support Vietnamese businesses and localities in accessing modern, renewable, environmentally friendly technologies and developing rural tourism to gradually improve product quality and value and farmers' lives and income. Thereby, creating a premise for the two countries to continue expanding cooperation and trade relations in many fields in the agriculture sector.

Expressing his pleasure at cooperating and exchanging experiences with Agritrade, Mekong Institute of Science Technology Application and Training, localities, and businesses in Vietnam, Mr. Lee Dong Hwan, Mayor of Goyang City, shared: Goyang city is located adjacent to the satellite urban of Seoul Capital and has a population of more than 1 million people. The city is a place that produces rice and other agricultural products on a large scale. In addition to supporting farmers to develop production and improve their lives and promoting regional economic development with high competitiveness, the city is also implementing many related projects to develop smart farms.

Vietnam is now one of the world's leading exporters of many agricultural products, such as rice, coffee, fruits, etc. Vietnam's orientation toward developing green, sustainable agriculture based on the application of scientific and technical advances and modern technology is very suitable for the city's development orientation.

Therefore, it is hoped that, with their strengths, the two sides will not only cooperate to develop safe and sustainable agricultural products but also promote cooperation in other fields such as new energy and ecological technology.