New opportunities to bring Mekong Delta agricultural and aquatic products to the Chinese market

From November 30, 2023 to December 4, 2023, the 15th Vietnam-China International Trade and Tourism Fair will be held in Mong Cai city, Quang Ninh province. This event, which is part of the national program for trade promotion in 2023, marks the largest international trade event in the key Northern economic region.

On November 2, the leadership from Mong Cai city, Quang Ninh province, Vietnam, and Dong Hung city, the Choang Autonomous Region of Guangxi, China, were present in Can Tho City to invite businesses from the Mekong Delta to participate in the event.

The 15th Vietnam-China International Trade and Tourism Fair in 2023 is expected to house 400 exhibition booths, encompassing agricultural products, foodstuffs, OCOP products, and regional specialties. Notably, the fair highlights the robust potential for export of agricultural and aquatic products hailing from diverse regions across the country.

According to the event organizers, the showcased items must meet stringent criteria, ensuring uniqueness, diversity, high quality, transparent and certified origin, and adherence to stringent food safety standards. This presents a substantial opportunity for both domestic and international manufacturers, businesses, and investors to engage in technological exchanges. Additionally, the event will promote investment projects and import-export services to both domestic and foreign investors, with a focus on strategic and large-scale economic corporations.

Mr. Vo Quoc Van, Deputy Director of Region 6's Quality Center under the Department of Processing and Market Development, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, commended Dong Hung city as a key entry point to the Guangxi Autonomous Region. The city is characterized by the Bac Luan Bridge, which serves as a pivotal connection to Mong Cai city, one of the significant land border gates facilitating trade between Vietnam and the Chinese market.

Regarding the complex and challenging global economic landscape, Mr. Van added that this event will provide a valuable opportunity for the Mekong Delta region to elevate its production and commercial activities.

As an enforcer of legal regulations pertaining to quality standards, food safety, preservation, processing, and the systematic development of agricultural, forestry, and aquatic product markets, Mr. Van committed to accompany regional stakeholders and businesses to foster partnerships and trading alliances.

Mr. Ho Quang Huy, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the Mong Cai City People's Committee, and host of the event, regards the fair as a prominent platform for Vietnamese businesses to establish their brand credibility with international partners. The city has previously oragnized various initiatives aimed at facilitating the distribution of agricultural and aquatic products from the Mekong Delta into Quang Ninh as well as the Chinese market.

As the 'capital' of the Mekong Delta, Can Tho city assumes a pivotal role as a significant trade gateway in the region. It represents a market rich in extensive and promising prospects for future trade collaborations with the Chinese market.

Mr. Li Kien, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Mayor of the People's Government of Dong Hung City, emphasizes that the Dong Hung border gate is creating a comprehensive "one gate, multiple pathways" framework featuring several advantages in integrating international road and sea ports. Namely, the border gate possesses the capacity to facilitate market development in the border area and stands at the forefront among China's border gates.

According to Mr. Kien, the city is presently focused on constructing a nationally exemplary modernized agricultural zone and aspires to collaborate with provinces within the Mekong Delta region and Vietnam as a whole to create cross-border agricultural industrialization for mutual benefit.

"With the Chinese market increasing its import of specialty items from ASEAN countries, Dong Hung city will be the largest conduit to transport products such as seeds, seafood, and fresh fruits from Vietnam into China. Consequently, the government of Dong Hung city is concentrating efforts on branding and industrializing agricultural products," stated Mr. Li Kien.

Regarding the field of border processing, the city places significant emphasis on developing pilot zones to attract food processing projects. The reinforcement of cross-border agricultural industrialization will increase demand for agricultural imports from ASEAN into China.

Additionally, the government of Dong Hung City reported that the volume of imports and exports at the Dong Hung border gate reached 1.35 million tons within the first three quarters of 2023, including  400,000 tons of agricultural products accounting and 220,000 tons of aquacultural products. 

The 15th Vietnam-China International Trade and Tourism Fair in 2023 marks a significant foreign event commemorating the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and China.

The event's program includes several key activities such as: a forum connecting the export of agricultural, forestry, and aquatic products through the Mong Cai - Dong Hung border gates; a forum to promote cross-border tourism activities; and an international friendly marathon.