Creating opportunities for Vietnam's key agricultural products in Mongolia

On the afternoon of November 2, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received the President of Mongolia Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh at the Government Headquarters on his official visit to Vietnam between November 1 and November 5.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh warmly welcomed the President of Mongolia Khurelsukh, along with the First Lady and the high-level Government delegation, for their official visit to Vietnam. He highlighted the significance of the official visit, which occured on the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Mongolia. Furthermore, the visit signified the transition of the traditional bilateral friendship to a new stage of substantial and effective development.

President Khurelsukh expressed his joy in revisiting Vietnam in his new capacity, and extended congratulations on the development achievements attained by Vietnam within the last few years. He emphasized that the Mongolian Government values the traditional bilateral friendship between Mongolia and Vietnam, regarding Vietnam as its foremost important cooperation partner in the Southeast Asian region.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and President Khurelsukh expressed their pleasure regarding the substantial developments in the two countries' cooperative relationship in recent years, with an emphasis on political, diplomatic, economic, defense, security, and agricultural sectors. Both parties exchanged targeted measures to further enhance practical and effective cooperation across all sectors in accordance with the strengths and needs of both countries. Accordingly, Vietnam and Mongolia will focus on developing their strengths and potentials with regards to the remarkable political relationship between the two countries.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh suggested further leveraging the role of the Vietnam-Mongolia Inter-Governmental Committee mechanism to enhance the effective collaboration between businesses, local governments, and the peoples of both countries. Additionally, the Prime Minister suggested the promotion of bilateral trade between the two countries, thereby creating opportunities for Vietnam's key agricultural and aquacultural products to enter the Mongolian market.

Both countries aim to achieve the objective of doubling bilateral trade turnover to 200 million USD within the following years. Accordingly, both parties will strengthen investment promotion activities, expand cooperation in diversifying supply chains with a focus on mutual strengths, foster collaboration in strategic mineral resources, organize numerous business networking events, workshops, trade fairs, and support local businesses' operation.

The Prime Minister welcomed the opening of direct flights between Vietnam and Mongolia, and the signing of the Agreement on Visa Exemption for ordinary passport holders. Consequently, both countries will promote cooperation in tourism, trade, and enhance people-to-people exchanges. He further suggested the continuation of discussions to find fundamental solutions in overcoming transportation difficulties between the two countries.

In agreement with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's suggestions, President Khurelsukh affirmed that enhancing comprehensive and profound cooperation with Vietnam is a top priority in Mongolia's regional foreign policy. He expressed satisfaction with the tangible progress in the two countries' bilateral cooperative relationship within recent years.

The President aims to strengthen and broaden cooperation further with Vietnam in various fields including politics, defense, security, economics, trade, education, science and technology, transportation, logistics, culture, sports, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges. He also wishes for both parties to establish a new framework of relations in accordance with the remarkable relationship between the two countries, especially on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Tran Thanh Nam purported that the collaboration turnover between Vietnam and Mongolia can further benefit from the strengthening of cooperation in agricultural exports and tourism.

Regarding the obstacles in exporting goat and sheep meat from Mongolia to Vietnam, Director of the Department of Animal Health, Mr. Nguyen Van Long, reported that Vietnam permitted the export of processed goat and sheep meat from Mongolia in 2017. However, to date, the Department of Animal Health has not received any registration application from Mongolian businesses concerning the export of the aforementioned products.

Regarding the export of frozen goat and sheep meat to Vietnam, after multiple discussions, the Department of Animal Health has assisted Mongolia in completing the necessary documentation as per Vietnam's and international requirements. In 2022, the Department sent a delegation to Mongolia to conduct on-site inspections and coordinate to determine technical measures for the export of these products Vietnam. However, the inspection revealed that Mongolia still faces foot-and-mouth disease and cholera on goats and sheep. Consequently, these factors failed to meet the requirements for export to Vietnam.