Opportunities to promote the potential of Vietnam - France agricultural cooperation

Photo caption — Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang said Vietnam is moving towards a smart, modern and sustainable agriculture . Photo: Huu Chien/VNA correspondent in France

The event was co-organized by Central Retail Group Vietnam, MEDEF International and the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam, with the support of the Vietnam Trade Office in France.

This is the first time the Forum has been held, bringing together representatives of French business associations, retailers and nearly 40 Vietnamese enterprises from many fields to exchange experiences, seek cooperation opportunities and promote bilateral trade relations.

In his opening speech, Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang affirmed that this forum is not just a meeting, but a testament to the substantial development of the Vietnam-France Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, established during General Secretary To Lam's visit to France in October 2024 and followed by recent high-level visits by President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh .

According to Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang, Vietnam is currently one of the most dynamic economies in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), with agriculture playing a pivotal role. However, Vietnam does not want to be just the “rice granary of the world”, but is moving towards a smart, modern and sustainable agriculture, and at the same time wishes to be seen not only as a market, but also as a sustainable and strategic production platform for France in Southeast Asia and the whole of Asia.

Ms. Nguyen Thao Hien - Deputy Director of the Department of Foreign Market Development (Ministry of Industry and Trade) - said that the working delegation included nearly 40 typical Vietnamese enterprises, representing many key export industries such as agricultural products and processed foods (coffee, cashew nuts, pepper, tropical fruits, seafood), textiles and handicrafts.

These products meet the standards of quality, design and increasingly focus on green and sustainable factors, in line with the consumption trends of the European market. The fact that businesses directly go to France to introduce products and seek partners is a clear demonstration of Vietnam's determination to diversify export markets and expand cooperation with France and the European Union (EU).

Mr. Paul Le - Vice President of Trade Promotion of Central Retail Vietnam - said: "Currently, in the context of goods exported to the US facing many challenges due to high tax rates, Vietnamese enterprises need to find ways to diversify export markets and participate in the global playground. With the strength of an international retailer, Central Retail accompanies Vietnamese enterprises in industries and fields with export strengths to learn about the French market and consumer culture; thereby finding more partners to bring goods to the French market in particular and Europe in general."

Speaking to VNA reporters in Paris, Mr. Jean Paul Torris - President of the National Food Association, representative of Medef International - emphasized: "We understand very well the message of the Vietnamese authorities and the Vietnamese Government, which is to transform from a major agricultural and agricultural product exporting country - with significant positions in the fields of coffee, rice, and seafood products - to an economy that creates more added value, with a higher level of processing."

According to Mr. Torris, Vietnam’s call for cooperation, technology transfer, experience sharing, industrial investment to create added value from Vietnam’s undeniable wealth in the agricultural sector, is a mutually beneficial goal. For Vietnam, it is to help develop added value in its supply chain and exports, and for French businesses, participating in these partnerships is also to expand their presence in a territory “located at the center of the world”.

Within the framework of the Vietnam - France Economic Forum, representatives of the two countries' governments and businesses shared the potential for cooperation between the two sides and conducted business-to-business (B2B) sessions. On this occasion, Central Retail Vietnam and Verger de la Blottiere - one of France's leading apple growing and exporting cooperatives - signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to study and consider the possibility of cooperation in bringing high-quality French apple products to the Vietnamese market. This agreement opens up opportunities for Vietnamese consumers to enjoy more premium apples with diverse flavors and varieties, meeting the increasingly diverse needs of Vietnamese customers, while contributing to promoting bilateral trade cooperation between Vietnam and France in the field of agricultural products and food.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/kinh-te/co-hoi-phat-huy-tiem-nang-hop-tac-nong-nghiep-viet-phap-20251011094706200.htm