Opportunities await Vietnam’s agricultural, food exports to Malaysia

Vietnam should focus on Malaysia for exports, especially food and beverages, during the post-pandemic economic recovery, heard a workshop held in Ho Chi Minh City on June 2.
Opportunities await Vietnam’s agricultural, food exports to Malaysia ảnh 1Tran Phu Lu, Deputy Director of the Investment and Trade Promotion Centre of HCM City, speaks at the workshop on June 2. (Photo: VNA)
HCM City (VNA) – Vietnam should focus on Malaysia for exports, especially food and beverages, during the post-pandemic economic recovery, heard a workshop held in Ho Chi Minh City on June 2.

Tran Phu Lu, Deputy Director of the Investment and Trade Promotion Centre of HCM City, said Vietnam and Malaysia hold potential for enhancing economic, trade, and investment links.

In 2021, Vietnam ranked 11th among trade partners and 7th among export markets of Malaysia, with bilateral trade reaching 11.8 billion USD. They are striving for 25 billion USD in trade revenue by 2030. However, these figures remain modest compared to their cooperation potential, he remarked.

Notably, he added, the Halal industry, which provides products and services for Muslims, in Malaysia was valued at 3.1 billion USD last year and is forecast to hit 5 billion USD by 2030, offering a promising export market for Vietnamese enterprises to capitalise on.

Tran Viet Thai, Vietnamese Ambassador to Malaysia, said the country had COVID-19 under control and reopened, but it is also facing disrupted supply chains due to the impacts of the pandemic and the Russia - Ukraine conflict.

In March this year, the Malaysian Government increased the quota for milled rice import from Vietnam to 700,000 tonnes per year from 520,000 tonnes. From an exporter of chicken to many neighbouring countries, Malaysia has had to halt export and seek supply sources.

Disruptions to old supply chains have also led to demand for new ones, which is a chance for manufacturing and exporting countries like Vietnam to promote exports, according to Thai.

Malaysia has great demand for rice, chicken and many other agricultural and food products, he said, recommending that to access this market, exporters should meet food quality and safety criteria, especially Halal standards.

Echoing the view, Halim Bin Husin, head of the Malaysian federation of commerce chambers, noted the country has considerable demand for imported food, beverages and Halal products, while Vietnam has many advantages for exporting these products.

Besides, Halal products are consumed not only in Malaysia but also in many other Islamic countries. There are about 1.9 billion Muslims globally, and the demand for Halal products increases by 8 - 9 percent each year, he added./.
VNA

See more

At the February 14 meeting between Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone and a delegation of Vietnamese businesses and international enterprises from various countries. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam strengthens business and investment ties in Laos

Highlighting Laos's vast potential for trade and investment cooperation, Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone said that Laos is an attractive investment destination, particularly in agriculture, tourism, logistics, and infrastructure development.

Lao government officials and representatives of Vietnamese businesses at the seminar (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese firms eye investment in Laos

He reaffirmed Laos as a key investment destination for Vietnamese and global firms, highlighting opportunities in agriculture, tourism, logistics, and infrastructure.

Vice Chairman of the Bac Giang People's Committee Mai Son (Photo: bacgiang.gov.vn)

Bac Giang speeds up non-state budget investment projects

In the coming period, the northern province of Bac Giang will focus on addressing challenges to non-state budget investment projects and expediting their progress, affirmed Vice Chairman of the provincial People's Committee Mai Son.

Representatives from industry associations share insights on Vietnam’s market trends. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Thailand boost industrial trade exchange

Trade between Vietnam and Thailand reached 20.18 billion USD in 2024, up 6.4% year-on-year. Thailand remained Vietnam’s top ASEAN trade partner, accounting for 24% of its total trade with the bloc.

Representatives from Lao and Vietnamese agencies at the signing ceremony. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Laos strengthen energy cooperation

A 1,200 MW wind power plant in Nong district, Laos’ Savannakhet province is expected to export 1,526 kWh to Vietnam annually once its first phase completes by the end of 2027, and additionally 1,112 million kWh per year after its second phase becomes operational in 2030./

A view of the Hanoi skyline. While rental properties continue to be in demand, there has also been a notable rise in the number of foreigners looking to buy houses. (Photo: VNA)

Housing demand from foreigners in Hanoi rises

Over several years, Hanoi has increasingly become an attractive destination for foreign workers, with approximately 10,000 new foreign workers are granted licences to work in the city each year.