A delegation of 10 Dutch businesses held a dialogue with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in Hanoi on October 24 to explore business opportunities in farm produce.

The dialogue took place during the Vietnam visit by Dutch Vice Minister for Foreign Trade, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Marten van den Berg from October 24-25.

The Netherlands and Vietnam formed the strategic partnership in water management and climate change adaptation in 2010, and in sustainable agriculture and food security in 2014.

Both sides discussed expertise and innovations in agriculture, especially in food security and safety, and technology transfer.

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Director International Agribusiness Michiel van Erkel, who led the Dutch delegation, believed that close cooperation will allow Vietnam and the Netherlands to increase value to the supply of more safe, sustainably-produced food.

Nathan Belete, Manager of the World Bank Agriculture & Food Practice, hailed Vietnam’s potential of high-value food such as nuts, spices, processed and eco-friendly food with geographical indication.

Director of the Institute of Policy and Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Do Anh Tuan said businesses which boast feasible projects could contact the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) if they want to hire a vast land area for production at preferential prices.

Vice Director of the Vietnam Sanitary and Phytosanitary Notification Authority and Enquiry Point Le Thanh Hoa suggested Dutch firms partner with those licensed to export aquatic products as listed by the MARD.

On the opening of the beef market in Vietnam, Hoa proposed both sides hold bilateral negotiations to gradually devise a roadmap in the field.

Source: VNA