The Prime Minister tasks MARD with removing the IUU yellow card by October this year

Agriculture continues to be a focal point of the economy during difficult times

On September 9, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh convened a monthly meeting to review the socio-economic development tasks completed in August and the first eight months of 2023 and to propose solutions for September and beyond. The meeting also aims to discuss the implementation of the Socio-Economic Recovery and Development Program, allocation and disbursement of public investment capital, implementation of 3 National Target Programs; reports on the implementation of the 2023 socio-economic development plan, expected 2024 socio-economic development plan, mid-term assessment of the implementation of the socio-economic development plan 5-year conference (2021–2025), among others.

In difficult times, the agricultural sector continues to develop steadily, representing a bright point and a firm foundation for the economy. The rice yield per hectare increased by 0.9%, the swine population by 3.5%, timber production by 4.8%, and aquaculture by 1.9%. In eight months, total agricultural exports reached 33.21 billion USD, with a trade surplus of 6.72 billion USD; fruit and vegetable exports reached nearly 3.5 billion USD, a 59.3% increase and higher than in 2022.

Particularly, energy and food security are ensured; exports of 5.9 million tons of rice resulted in a turnover of USD 3.2 billion, an increase of 123 percent in volume and 137 percent in value over the same period.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized that in August and the following eight months, the most significant outcome will be the achievement of the overall goal outlined in the Resolutions and Conclusions of the Party Central Committee, the National Assembly, and the Government, including business macroeconomic stability remains stable; inflation is controlled; growth is encouraged; great balances, social security, and people's lives are guaranteed; social and political stability; national defense; foreign affairs and international integration have been promoted.

Enhancing agricultural output and capitalizing on year-end export opportunities

Regarding key tasks and solutions for the remaining months of 2023 and the future, the Prime Minister stated in September that focusing on promoting the three growth drivers (investment, export, and consumption), including continuing to consolidate and promote agricultural and service sectors, revitalizing the industrial sector, focusing on the processing and manufacturing sectors, removing market difficulties, and overcoming supply chain disruptions, among other things, would be essential.

Regarding exports, maintain and consolidate traditional markets and aggressively expand new markets; Strengthen guidance and support for people and businesses to improve the quality of products and services to meet new conditions and standards, particularly green standards; capitalize on signed FTAs. Encourage the negotiation and signature of new agreements, commitments, and trade ties.

Regarding consumption, focus on vigorously developing the domestic market of 100 million people; promote the campaign "Vietnamese people prioritize using Vietnamese goods"; widely organize promotional programs and stimulate consumer demand; vigorously develop e-commerce; strengthen connectivity, ensure a balance between supply and demand of goods, especially essential goods; intensify prevention and combat of smuggling and trade fraud; and expand the fight against smuggling and trade fraud.

In order to meet year-end and holiday requirements, the Prime Minister requested that agriculture heavily promote the production of food, food products, and essential commodities. Utilize export opportunities for agricultural products while maintaining food security. Implement drastic, synchronous, and effective solutions to combat illegal, unregulated, and unreported fisheries (IUU) to remove the EU's "yellow card". The Prime Minister remarked on the effective preparations for organizing the International Rice Festival at the end of the year and implementing the one million hectares of premium rice program.

Promote economic diplomacy and pursue export markets for key export products (textiles, footwear, agricultural products, wooden furniture, electronics, etc.). Deploy foreign policy and international integration initiatives with efficiency.

Enhance forecasts, warnings, and timely information regarding drought, saline intrusion, cyclones, floods, riverbank and coastal erosion, flash floods, and landslides in order to have effective prevention and control measures; be prepared with rescue, salvage, and disaster recovery plans.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh later tasked the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development with promoting agricultural production, particularly food; implementing solutions to promote agricultural exports and ensuring national food security. Implement solutions to combat illegal fishing (IUU) in a serious, drastic, synchronized, and effective manner, aiming to remove the EU's "yellow card" by October 2023.