The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, alongside the Quang Ninh province People's Committee, co-hosted a conference in Mong Cai on December 1 with the aim of boosting agro-forestry and aquatic exports to the Chinese market.

At the event
 

Quang Ninh province has been considered to be the “gateway” for both import and export activities between Vietnam and China for several years, which has significantly contributed to increasing the total bilateral trade turnover to nearly US$100 billion since the beginning of the year.

A string of measures have recently been implemented by the province in a bid to promote cross-border trade activities such as improving transport infrastructure and updating border gate systems.

Despite these changes, China has made steps to strengthen its own quality management system, setting forth stricter requirements regarding imported goods. These include new rules on traceable origins, packaging, and labeling of products, which have served to affect the agricultural export activities of several businesses.

A representative from the Chinese Embassy in Vietnam noted that this fresh application of international standards is appropriate and in line with the signed agreements between the two sides, adding that a number of local industries have failed to meet the requirements set by the country’s northern neighbour.

When producers follow these standards, it will help bolster the export of agro-forestry-aquatic products to both Chinese and international markets in the future, he said.

Participants also discussed issues relating to the Chinese market and the regulations that it imposes on agricultural products, which has provided domestic firms with plenty of useful information about export activities.

Tran Van Cong, Deputy Director of the Agro Processing and Market Development Authority, called for greater efforts by Vietnamese enterprises to make greater changes in production activities as a means of gaining certificates to meet the requirements set by the Chinese market.

Representatives from businesses of both nations also signed a contract valued at over VND15,000 billion during the event.