Denmark is ready to be a bridge connecting Vietnam to the EU market

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien had a courtesy call with Mr. Troels Vensild, Head of International Cooperation, Department of Animal Health and Food of Denmark with the delegation from the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries of Denmark.

At the courtesy call, the two parties discussed the Strategic Sector Cooperation Project on food safety in the pork value chain between Vietnam and Denmark along with proposals for cooperation and development in the near future.

Mr. Troels Vensild emphasized that the two parties need to develop a stronger cooperative relationship as well as faith in the other party, with special regards to the impacts from the Covid-19 pandemic. Vietnam and Denmark have established a long-term cooperative relationship across many fields and signed multiple agreements that opened up opportunities for cooperation, utilizing the advantages and potentials of the two parties, especially in the agricultural and food sectors.

The representative from the Department of Animal Health and Food of Denmark further assessed that although Vietnam is facing numerous challenges and difficulties, it remains a nation with an impressively developed economy in recent years. This is the foundation for the two parties to promote a long-standing cooperative and strategic partnership in the agricultural sector in the past and continuing into the future.

The Danish delegation proposed that the two parties enhance communication and interaction through workshops and forums with the help of experts, researchers and businesses.

“Early next year, we will continue to discuss the third phase of the SCC project, with more focused content on sustainable development, green conversion, and solutions to combat climate change in food cooperation”, said Mr. Vensild.

Vietnam and Denmark are cooperating effectively in the field of pork value chain, pig development and pork production, which is also one of Denmark's strength. However, it is important to address issues related to post-Covid-19 pandemic recovery as well as compliance with the regulations of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE).

Additionally, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien reported on Vietnam's economic growth in recent years. According to world economic experts, Vietnam's GDP growth is forecast to increase sharply from 2.6% in 2021 to 7.5% in 2022, with the inflation rate remaining at the lowest level of 3.15%. Vietnam has become a highly open economy, at 200% GDP.

However, in order to participate extensively in the global economy, Vietnam needs support and cooperation, transfer of new and advanced technologies from developed countries around the world, including Denmark.

Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien said that Vietnam's agricultural sector is particularly interested in the field of processing and deep processing. Vietnam is also prioritizing closed chain models in production, circular economy, digital economy, post-agricultural economy, inclusive economy to apply to the development of specific fields.

Mr. Tien said that although Vietnam and Denmark have over 50 years of cooperative relationship, there are untapped potentials and advantages in the agricultural sector.

The Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development suggested Denmark to support the Ministrial management and research agencies in promoting the sectoral strategic program in an agriculture that focuses on adapting to climate change, and mitigating use of antibiotics in livestock and aquaculture.

Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien suggested Denmark's agencies to coordinate with the Vietnam Business Association to promote the model of public-private partnership (PPP) in the field of animal husbandry and fisheries in the immediate future.

The Deputy Minister affirmed that the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will accompany Danish and Vietnamese businesses in resolving difficulties and promoting development cooperation.

Mr. Troels Vensild shared: “Just as Vietnam is ready to act as a bridge for Denmark to access the ASEAN market, Denmark is also ready to be a bridge to connect Vietnam with the EU market. With many untapped potentials and advantages, I expect government agencies, businesses and units from both parties to cooperate extensively in the foreseeable future".

The Strategic Sector Cooperation Project on food safety in the pork value chain between Vietnam and Denmark was agreed upon in December 2019.

The SSC project has made an important contribution to strengthening the cooperative relationship between the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam, the Embassy of Denmark in Hanoi and the Department of Animal Health and Food of Denmark. Vietnam and Denmark have become Strategic Partners in Food Safety and Sustainable Food Production with extensive knowledge and experience sharing activities between the two parties including scholarship programs, research projects, and knowledge sharing forums.