The US assists Vietnam's livestock and fishery industries with medical devices

At the end of September, a delegation from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development headed by Deputy Minister Le Quoc Doanh participated in a number of events in the US aimed at promoting bilateral cooperation with US partners, including collaboration with the US Grains Council. 

On this occasion, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the US Grains Council and MARD to encourage collaboration in a variety of fields, including animal feed production and aquaculture; and enhance the use of bio-gas and renewable energy.

On October 6, one of the MoU's provisions became effective at the MARD's headquarters. The US Grains Council handed over Covid-19 rapid test devices and masks to support livestock and fisheries officials and businesses to Vietnam. 

Mr. Nguyen Do Anh Tuan, Director of the Department of International Cooperation (MARD), was authorized by the Chief of the MARD to acquire 30,000 N95 masks and 3,500 Covid-19 test kits made in Korea.

Duong Tat Thang, acting general director of the ministry's Department of Livestock Production, and Nguyen Hoai Nam, vice secretary general of the Vietnam Associations of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), represented sectors and businesses at the event to express gratitude for the support of the US Grains Council and the US Embassy in Vietnam. They also promised to provide the presents to the recipients specified in the Memorandum of Understanding.

According to Mr. Robert, Agriculture Counselor at the US Embassy in Vietnam, the program's few participants represented both the livestock and fisheries sectors in particular, as well as the Vietnamese agricultural economy in general.

He said that not just on that day, but since 1994, the US Grains Council has invested in and supported the establishment of two major agricultural sector groups in Vietnam.

"I just saw a report from the US Department of Agriculture describing Vietnam as a feed importing powerhouse and the largest livestock and feed producer in Southeast Asia. The US Embassy has been rapidly organizing vaccination supplies to assist Vietnam. Thus pledging to assist Vietnam's agriculture sector without disrupting production and supply chains," according to a US Embassy official in Vietnam.

Additionally, Mr. Robert Hanson said that the US would have additional batches of Covid-19 vaccine in the coming days to assist Vietnam.