Vietnam is the ideal choice to supply agricultural products and foodstuffs to international markets in the current pandemic, with an abundant supply of agricultural products and food with guaranteed quality, which are suitable to different consumption segments.

The conference. Photo: Minh Khuyen

Speaking at the International Online Trade Conference of Vietnamese agricultural and food products 2020 on the morning of September 24, in Hanoi, Mr. Vu Ba Phu, Director of the Trade Promotion Agency (Ministry of Industry and Trade) said that international trade was seriously affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, leading to a breakdown in the supply chain in the agricultural and food industry, while the demand for food did not decrease sharply.

In this context, Vietnam has quickly and effectively controlled the infiltration and spread of this pandemic, creating conditions for agricultural and food businesses to maintain safe production and supply activities for domestic and international markets.

"Vietnam is the ideal choice in the current context with an abundant supply of agricultural products and food with guaranteed quality, suitable for many different consumption segments to supply to the international market," Mr. Phu said.

Speaking at the conference, Mr. Tran Van Cong, Counselor of Vietnam Agriculture in the European Union (EU) also said that Vietnam has the capacity to meet the requirements ofthe importers of agricultural products and food.

Vietnam has the capacity to meet the requirements of importers
for agricultural products and foodstuffs. Photo: Internet

Mr. Tran Van Cong said Vietnam now has more than 6,335 hectares of fruit orchards applying VietGAP/GlobalGAP and has been issued with planting area codes that meet export standards.

In addition, Vietnam has more than 5,000 hectares of aquaculture farms recognized to apply VietGAP/GlobalGAP; 100% of export basa fish farms was issued with a code of origin; 100% of fishing boats commit to say no to illegal fishing (IUU fishing); 100% of processors apply the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control (HACCP) system and other quality certification schemes for food safety, ecology and social responsibility on the domestic and international scale.

At this time, Vietnam's seafood products have been exported to more than 170 countries and regions.

Regarding the investment environment, according to Mr. Cong, Vietnam is developing a high-tech agricultural zone in order to bring superior products in terms of quality, brand name, compliance with food safety standards, thereby meeting the tastes of consumers in importing countries, increasing competitiveness.

It is notable that Vietnam always reforms its administration and has many good policies to create favorable conditions for investors to do business in Vietnam.

Regarding the calling for investors, Mr. Doan Le Khoa, Director of Yen Bai Center for Industry and Trade Promotion, said that the locality has many advantages in agricultural, forestry, fishery and mineral production. Therefore, the province is interested in the promotion of production development and deep processing, especially in commodity export activities.

On the import side, Mr. Johnny Ting, Director of TIK International Company, Singapore, affirmed that Vietnamese products have the potential to be exported to Singapore and the world.

However, Mr. Johnny Ting also noted Vietnamese enterprises need to meet the requirements of the Singapore market for imported goods. Specifically, if goods want toenter the Singapore market, products must have nutritional information, HACCP certificates, ISO certificates (if any) and are encouraged to have HALAL certificates.

"HALAL is not only for Islam but also the living motto of purity, cleanliness, safety and quality. Halal certified products have these things," said Johnny Ting.