France is ready to assist Vietnam in its efforts to enhance resilience to natural disasters

During the meeting, Ambassador Olivier Brochet conveyed France's solidarity and support for Vietnam in the wake of the devastation caused by Typhoon Yagi, particularly in the severely hit northern mountainous provinces. The ambassador underscored that France is prepared to provide Vietnam with the support necessary to overcome this difficult period. He requested that the MARD provide information regarding local requirements and collaborate with partners to facilitate support. Ambassador Brochet indicated that France could offer immediate emergency assistance to the regions that were impacted by the most recent typhoon in the short term. In the long term, France has a variety of organizations that can assist Vietnam in developing greater resilience to natural disasters.

On September 13, 2024, Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam expressed his appreciation to the French Ambassador for the letter, in which French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his sympathy for the devastation caused by Typhoon Yagi in Vietnam. Vietnam is grateful for France's willingness to assist in reducing the typhoon's effects.

Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam also emphasized the robust agricultural partnership between France and Vietnam, which has been established over an extended period. In 2022, total agricultural import-export turnover between the two nations amounted to USD 619 million, representing a nearly 14% increase from the previous year. In comparison to 2021, the agricultural trade exchange between the two parties has increased by 14%. The agricultural trade cooperation between France and Vietnam is anticipated to become even more robust in the future, following the significant potential of both nations, with the EVFTA (EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement) coming into effect in 2020.

According to MARD leaders, the ministry has initiated a project for agricultural logistics that is modeled after the Rungis International Market in Paris, France. This market provides agricultural and food products to the entire capital city of Paris and its adjacent areas, which are home to 18 million individuals. The initial model will be implemented in Hanoi, with the support of Rungis International Market consulting, and will be followed by Quang Ninh and Can Tho, with the help of enterprises. The Rungis market paradigm, which encompasses financial services, trade promotion, and import-export functions, is deemed appropriate for Vietnam. The implementation and expansion of this model to significant urban areas are anticipated to receive support from France, according to Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam.

He also requested that France assist Vietnam in the salt industry. At present, Vietnam produces approximately 11,000 hectares of salt, with an annual production of 11 million tons. Nevertheless, the selling price of salt in Vietnam remains low, failing to accurately represent its true value. As a result, salt producers continue to endure poverty and hardship. Therefore, the MARD expects that France will share its models, invite experts, and transmit technology and experience to assist Vietnam in enhancing the value of salt and enhancing the income of salt farmers.

The Agricultural Cooperation Agreement between Vietnam and France was signed by Minister Le Minh Hoan and the French Ambassador on December 20, 2023, to enhance agricultural relations. The inaugural meeting of the Agricultural Task Force between the two parties will be held in December of this year. The aforementioned topics were recommended by Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam for inclusion in the Task Force's discussion agenda.

At present, the emergency relief phase has concluded, and Vietnam is emphasizing the assistance it provides to individuals to maintain their livelihoods and resume production. The MARD leadership underscored that the agricultural sector's immediate objective is to stabilize the population and restore production in the northern mountainous provinces.

The ministry is optimistic that France will provide support to the people in the affected regions in accelerating the reconstruction of their residences, the resumption of agricultural production, and the provision of healthcare and education. Furthermore, assistance is requested for the monitoring system to provide early warning of natural disasters in this region, thereby mitigating the impact of landslides, flash flooding, and other disasters.

* Andros Vietnam, which operates in the produce sector, was established in 2016, according to Florian Delmas, CEO of Andros Group, during the meeting. Andros is implementing a model in Vietnam that assists local farmers (primarily in the Mekong Delta region) in organizing production by establishing model orchards with sustainable agricultural methods. This model includes three industrial zones, two processing plants, and one cold storage facility. Nevertheless, Andros is currently encountering challenges in the management of supply and demand, as well as plantation areas in Vietnam.

Comprehending Andros' obstacles, Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam emphasized the importance of businesses in establishing a connection between production and consumption across localities, resolving bottlenecks, and serving as a reliable intermediary between the two. It is particularly crucial to regulate off-season and reverse-season production to ensure the stability of Vietnamese fruits in export markets by extending production periods and reducing the burden on fruit output during peak seasons. Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam recommended that the Group continue to enhance vertical linkages (production, business, processing, export) and fortify horizontal linkages (cooperatives, agricultural households).