Vietnam - Malaysia soon sign new MoU on agricultural cooperation

According to Minister Tran Duc Thang, the Memorandum of Understanding between the two Ministries will establish a foundation to elevate the cooperative relationship between the two countries to a new level.

On the morning of November 14, Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Duc Thang received and worked with Mr. Dato' Tan Yang Thai, Ambassador of Malaysia to Vietnam. The meeting focused on discussing specific areas of cooperation and promoting the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment of Vietnam and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security of Malaysia on cooperation in agriculture, fisheries, and food security.

Working session between Minister Tran Duc Thang and Ambassador Dato' Tan Yang Thai. Photo: Kieu Chi.

According to Minister Tran Duc Thang, Vietnam and Malaysia have had a long-term and trustworthy cooperative relationship, and the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established in 2024 is being vigorously implemented. This meeting is an important opportunity for both sides to concretize their commitments and increase bilateral trade in agricultural and food products.

The Minister affirmed that it is necessary to have close cooperation between the two countries on SPS to facilitate trade. For livestock products and animal feed, the review will be conducted soon and feedback on the results will be provided before the two Ministers sign the MoU; support Malaysian businesses that want to export processed pork, processed poultry meat and poultry eggs of all kinds (fresh and processed), milk and dairy products. Regarding fresh chili peppers from Vietnam, the Minister suggested that Malaysia shorten the licensing time and extend the validity of import licenses.

Minister Tran Duc Thang at a meeting with the Malaysian Ambassador to Vietnam. Photo: Kieu Chi.

"In addition, Vietnam attaches special importance to promoting cooperation in the potential Halal food sector that can bring practical benefits to both sides. Vietnam has a policy to promote the development of the Halal ecosystem, creating products and services with high added value, serving domestic and foreign needs," said Minister Tran Duc Thang.

Regarding the implementation of anti-IUU fishing, through the ASEAN Network on Anti-IUU Fishing and bilateral cooperation mechanisms, focal officers of the two countries have regularly coordinated and exchanged information on Vietnamese fishing vessels violating Malaysian waters to jointly verify and promptly handle them in accordance with the laws of the two countries.

The head of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment requested Malaysia to share information on regulations and licensing conditions for foreign fishing vessels operating in its waters. The Joint Working Group will meet next week to identify contact points related to IUU violations.

Mr. Dato' Tan Yang Thai, Malaysian Ambassador to Vietnam, hopes to receive support from Minister Tran Duc Thang on cooperation in areas of mutual interest: agricultural trade, green and digital agriculture. Photo: Kieu Chi.

Responding to the Minister, Ambassador Dato' Tan Yang Thai highly appreciated Vietnam's role in ensuring food security for Malaysia during the rice supply disruption period. He also affirmed that agriculture is an important sector in Malaysia's Action Plan to strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries. He expressed his hope that agricultural cooperation, food trade and Halal market access will become the highlights of the new phase of cooperation.

The Ambassador informed that he will report the points of agreement in today's working session with Minister Tran Duc Thang and the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security of Malaysia. The Joint Working Group of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment of Vietnam and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security of Malaysia will urgently complete the Memorandum of Understanding, with the Department of International Cooperation of both sides as the common focal point.

Ambassador Dato' Tan Yang Thai emphasized the great potential in bilateral agricultural trade cooperation, especially Vietnam's ability to access the Halal market because it is a country with abundant, stable and quality agricultural products that are fully capable of meeting the needs of the global Halal market.

Through the meeting, the two sides determined to complete the content of the MoU for the two Ministers to sign no later than December 2025. Minister Tran Duc Thang affirmed that this will be an important document, creating a legal foundation to promote cooperation between agencies of the two countries as well as expand investment cooperation between enterprises.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/viet-nam--malaysia-som-ky-ket-mou-moi-ve-hop-tac-nong-nghiep-d784205.html