PM suggests US help Vietnam develop agriculture
Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has suggested the US assist Vietnam in
promoting the rapid, sustainable and modern development of agriculture that
matches Vietnam’s conditions.
During
a reception in Hanoi on April 19 for US Secretary of Agriculture Thomas Vilsack,
PM Chinh sought the US’s support in building an ecological agriculture, modern
rural areas and civilised farmers while improving the added value of
agricultural products to bring benefits to consumers and the two economies, thus
contributing to the Vietnam-US comprehensive partnership.
In its overall foreign policy, Vietnam always considers the
US one of its top important partners, and backs the strengthening of friendly cooperation
in various fields, with agriculture being an important area, he said, adding
that Vietnam is ready to continue deepening ties with the US in an effective
and substantial manner on the basis of mutual respect for independence, sovereignty,
territorial integrity and political regime of each other, matching the
interests of their people and contributing to peace, stability,
cooperation and development in the region and the world.
The PM suggested the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and
Rural Development and the US Department of Agriculture further strengthen cooperation
to diversify products and supply chains.
He urged the US to further open its market for Vietnamese farm produce,
complete necessary procedures to open the market for Vietnamese products such
as coconut and passion fruit; support the establishment of irradiation
facilities in northern Vietnam to facilitate the export of fruits such as lychee,
mango, pomelo, and dragon fruit; limit the use of unnecessary technical barriers and
tools in agricultural trade with Vietnam; assist Vietnam in planning and
developing raw material areas and meeting US standards for food safety and
hygiene.
Furthermore, Vietnam encourages strong and diversified
investment by US businesses in agriculture in the country, he said, adding
that Vietnam is willing to open up its market and increase imports of several agricultural
products from the US.
The Vietnamese leader also proposed that the US Department of
Agriculture strengthen coordination and assist Vietnam in green transition,
climate change response, technological transfer, digital transformation in
agriculture, disease control as well as research and production of vaccines, fertilisers
and animal feed, increase scholarships and workforce training in agriculture.
According to him, carrying
forward the Vietnam-US agricultural cooperation will step up the consumption of
farm produce, create jobs and livelihoods for farmers, especially those in remote areas and affected by Agent Orange during the past war, and strong impacts of
climate change, especially in the Mekong Delta.
Vilsack, for his part, said it is the third time he has visited Vietnam, and each time he
witnessed the strong development of the country as well as bilateral ties.
He affirmed that the US wants to beef up ties with Vietnam,
especially in trade. He called on both sides to continue learning from each
other's experience in agricultural development, particularly smart agriculture
and climate change adaptation.
The guest pledged to work
with the two countries’ relevant agencies to nurture cooperation in areas suggested
by the Vietnamese PM, including setting up irradiation facilities in northern
Vietnam, thus meeting the demands of the US and other markets, and expanding
the market for their farm produce./.