April 18, 2025 | 19:57 GMT +7

  • Click to copy
Saturday- 08:39, 02/10/2021

Investment for high-tech development in the Mekong Delta

(VAN) Minister Le Minh Hoan proposed the EU to assist in improving governance capacity, infrastructure and logistics at cooperatives and inter-cooperatives in the Mekong Delta.
On October 1st, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan had held a work session with Mr. Pier Georgio Aliberti, Ambassador and Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Vietnam. Photo: Pham Hieu.

On October 1st, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan had held a work session with Mr. Pier Georgio Aliberti, Ambassador and Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Vietnam. Photo: Pham Hieu.

Improve the capacity of Mekong Delta’s cooperatives

The meeting aimed to promote extensive cooperation between Vietnam and the EU in the field of agriculture, especially promoting trade in agricultural, forestry and fishery products after the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) came into effect on August 1st, 2020.

Sharing with the Ambassador about his recent trip to Europe, Minister Le Minh Hoan said that many cooperative and inter-cooperatives models in Europe are operating very effectively from which Vietnam can learn a lot.

'We consider cooperatives as a 'lifeline' to transform agriculture as the organization is still fragmented and the scale is small. Vietnam's agricultural cooperatives are eager to receive help, support and investment from the European side,' said Minister Le Minh Hoan. Photo: Pham Hieu. 

“We consider cooperatives as a “lifeline” to transform agriculture as the organization is still fragmented and the scale is small. Vietnam's agricultural cooperatives are eager to receive help, support and investment from the European side," said Minister Le Minh Hoan. Photo: Pham Hieu. 

Minister Le Minh Hoan asked the Ambassador to help attract EU businesses to increase investment in Vietnamese agriculture in the direction of high technology, deep processing as well as application of green and sustainable agriculture standards, and create a close connection with local businesses and farmers.

Minister Le Minh Hoan accordingly proposed the Head of the Delegation establish a group of experts in the field of food hygiene and safety, quality management, and agro-product traceability to work with Vietnam before the country’s agricultural products are exported to the European market, avoiding the situation of products being returned because they do not meet the technical criteria. The European side can also assess Vietnam's responsible agricultural production activities.

After listening to the sharing of Minister Le Minh Hoan, Ambassador Aliberti affirmed that the EU is ready to provide technical assistance as proposed by Vietnam: “It is very important to ensure the processing and logistics procedures as well as the quality of fruit and vegetable products originating from the Mekong Delta. We highly appreciate models such as in Cai Mep - Thi Vai port and are ready to support the cold storage chain for Vietnamese agricultural products.”

Minister Le Minh Hoan also gave out several proposals for the EU in order to develop the industry such as:

Develop a sustainable fisheries industry to thoroughly solve the IUU fishing issue. This includes the Non-structural component of the Fisheries Project expected to be approved in November 2021;

Soon consider removing the "yellow card" for Vietnam;

Develop multi-purpose forestry sector through effective implementation of the VPA/FLEGT; CITES Convention; monitor, evaluate and manage forests sustainably;

Effectively implement the One Health Partnership Framework on the prevention of animal diseases along with related activities.

The EU market - grand potential

Minister Le Minh Hoan and Ambassador Aliberti agreed that both sides still have a lot of room to promote agro-product trades. It is therefore essential to consider promoting trade in items such as Vietnamese rice, vegetables and fruits from both Vietnam and the EU, processed products, products with geographical indications, etc.

Europe has long been known as Vietnam's third largest market for agricultural, forestry and fishery products. The items exchanged between the two parties are complementary and not competitive. Since the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement came into effect on August 1st, 2020, agro - forestry - fishery trades between both sides have increasingly prospered, reaching USD 457 billion in 2020.

Even in the difficult context of the Covid-19 pandemic, in the first 8 months of 2021, Vietnam's agricultural, forestry and fishery exports to the EU reached USD 2.38 billion (up 8.11% over the same period in 2020), while imports reached USD 542 million (up 2.24% over the same period in 2020).

Mr. Pier Georgio Aliberti, Ambassador and Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Vietnam. Photo: Pham Hieu.

Mr. Pier Georgio Aliberti, Ambassador and Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Vietnam. Photo: Pham Hieu.

Regarding the potential improvements for Vietnam’s agriculture sector, Ambassador Aliberti shared that the EU currently has a number of pioneering policies in agriculture such as the Green Deal, the Farm-to-folk Strategy, the Circular Economy, Biodiversity, and Nature conservation. These policies will be useful references for the Vietnam Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to develop a strategy for sustainable agricultural and rural development in the 2021-2030 period with a vision to 2050.

Vietnam can accordingly develop a multi-value integrated growth model in the direction of high technology, diversity and sustainability, utilize resources rationally, protect the ecological environment, ensure the conservation of biodiversity.

Author: Pham Hieu

Translated by Samuel Pham

Vietnam Prime Minister highlights 5 consensus results of P4G Summit

Vietnam Prime Minister highlights 5 consensus results of P4G Summit

(VAN) On the afternoon of April 17, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired the closing ceremony of the P4G Vietnam Summit 2025, with the theme 'Sustainable and People-Centered Green Transformation.'

Vietnam and Singapore to deploy large-scale renewable energy project

Vietnam and Singapore to deploy large-scale renewable energy project

(VAN) Vietnam and Singapore are poised to sign the Paris Agreement and collaborate on implementing large-scale renewable energy projects that are mutually beneficial.

Vietnam - Rwanda promote cooperation in agriculture and environment

Vietnam - Rwanda promote cooperation in agriculture and environment

(VAN) Vietnam and Rwanda agreed to promote agricultural and environmental cooperation towards green growth and sustainable development in the new period.

Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture: ‘We do not trade environment for output’

Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture: ‘We do not trade environment for output’

(VAN) With a comprehensive food system transformation roadmap, Ethiopia has become Africa's largest wheat producer, ensuring domestic consumption and export.

Vietnam - Russia: Facilitating the expansion of bilateral import and export

Vietnam - Russia: Facilitating the expansion of bilateral import and export

(VAN) On the morning of April 17, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Phung Duc Tien welcomed and worked with Mr. Gennady Bezdetko, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Vietnam.

Vietnam - UNIDO: Partnering to develop green agricultural production models

Vietnam - UNIDO: Partnering to develop green agricultural production models

(VAN) On the afternoon of April 17, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Phung Duc Tien received with UNIDO Deputy Director-General Fatou Haidara.

IFAD: Ministry of Agriculture and Environment holds a unique position to lead green transition

IFAD: Ministry of Agriculture and Environment holds a unique position to lead green transition

(VAN) The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is proud to stand alongside the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment in the journey towards green transformation.

Read more