The EU agri-food business mission to Vietnam, 10-14 July 2022
The European Union Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski will be visiting Vietnam from 10 to 14 July 2022, accompanied by a business delegation of 50 senior representatives from the European agri-food sector, representing mainly meat, dairy, wines, spirits, fruit and vegetable products. The purpose of this visit is to facilitate European agricultural food and beverage exports and to benefit from the positive outcomes of the entry into force of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) in August 2020.
In order to take stock of the agri-food opportunities under the EVFTA, the EU will organise a business seminar focusing on the characteristics of the Vietnamese market and its consumer trends, to be held in Hanoi (Hilton Hanoi Opera) on 11 July. Then on 13 July, in Ho Chi Minh City, the EU will host the EU-Vietnam Agri-food Business Forum (Sofitel Saigon Plaza). Inaugurated by the EU Commissioner Mr J. Wojciechowski, the Vietnamese Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) Mr Le Minh Hoan and the Chairman and President of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) Mr Pham Tan Cong, the forum will provide a platform for exchange of experiences between the respective business people about marketing of agricultural food and beverage products, sustainable production standards and possible partnerships between the EU and Vietnamese businesses in the South-East Asian markets. The forum will facilitate B2B matchmaking meetings between the participating businesses.
In order to provide further networking space, the EU will also host VIP business dinners in Hanoi on 11 July and Ho Chi Minh City on 13 July, open to the Vietnamese government, business and specialised media representatives.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) as well as the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (Eurocham) cooperate closely with the EU to make this business visit a success.
Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski said: Vietnam has become a key partner for the EU in Southeast Asia following the entry into force of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement in 2020. My visit, accompanied by a business delegation of EU agri-food sector representatives, will contribute to take advantage of the new trade opportunities and allow to showcase the high quality and sustainability standards of EU agri-food production for the benefit of increasingly demanding Vietnamese consumers. I look forward to my presence in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh in July.
Minister Le Minh Hoan said: Vietnam has a comparative advantage in production and a strong supply capacity of several agriculture, forestry and fishery commodities. The sector has been gradually transforming toward high value added, ecology and sustainability. Vietnam promotes FDI from the EU and stimulates establishing alliances between Vietnam and EU enterprises to build complete agricultural supply chains contributing to the transformation process, and ultimately farmers and consumers welfare.
Chairman Pham Tan Cong said: As a national trade promotion agency, VCCI has always accompanied domestic businesses in their efforts to develop their operations and seek new commercial investment opportunities, particularly in high-potential regions such as the EU. We think that by participating in this event, Vietnamese businesses in general, and agricultural businesses in particular, will be able to diversify their supply sources and claim agricultural strength. On the VCCI side, we are actively implementing several business activities supporting the Government's goal of making Vietnam one of the world's leading agricultures by 2050. The Program on Benchmarking and Announcing Sustainable Companies in Vietnam (CSI Program), which has been running for six years by VCCI, is one of the most visible signs of the organization's strength as well as The Vietnamese businesses' strong transformation and commitment to environmental issues and sustainable development - two of the most important factors in agricultural development. I would encourage all Vietnamese companies to participate today to use this opportunity to get to know EU exporters well and make them be your reliable business partners in the EU. I look forward to celebrating the success with you all.
Vietnamese companies and business organisations representing notably the importers, retailers, distributors, processors of agri-food products interested in meeting the EU business delegates either in Hanoi or in Ho Chi Minh City are welcome to consult the programme of the business events and register: