Asthe regional trade and logistics centre, the UAE was considered one of theworld's largest re-export markets for goods including farm produce, said Vietnamese Ambassadorto the UAE Nguyen Manh Tuan.
TruongXuan Trung, Vietnamese Trade Counselor in the UAE, said that inorder to increase market share in the UAE, Vietnamese businesses shouldstrengthen cooperation and attend large agricultural fairs and exhibitions inthe UAE.
Atthe same time, government agencies needed to host forums andbusiness exchange events in order to support local firms in findingsuitable partners, verify information about partners and competitors. The Stateshould also provide the firms with updated market information while completing the bilateral legal framework.
Meanwhile,Raphael Nagel, President of the Abrahamic Business Circle, said the UAEhad great demand for agricultural products to ensure food security.Therefore, in order to do business successfully in the UAE, businessesneeded to establish representative offices in the country.
Amida sharp increase in freight rates due to the pandemic, it was necessaryfor the firms to build separate distribution channels to ensure the circulationof exported agricultural products. At the same time, they could jointlyrent cold storage and transportation systems to minimise export costs, he said.
Accordingto the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the UAE was a potential marketfor agricultural and food products from Vietnam. Thus, promoting theexport of these products to the UAE market was one of thetop priorities.
Aspart of its efforts, the ministry's Trade Promotion Agency (VIETRADE) teamedup with the Vietnamese Embassy and Trade Office in the UAE to organise theVietnamese Pavilion at the Gulfood Dubai Fair 2022 with the participationof some 12 agricultural and processed food enterprises from Vietnam.
Theyincluded Vietnam Dairy Products JSC (Vinamik), Hanfimex Vietnam JSC,Hoang Son 1 JSC, Prosi Thang Long JSC, Tan Phat Foods Corporation andDong Giao Foodstuff Import-Export Co.
Duringthe event which runs from February 13-17, these firms showcased rice,cashew nuts, coconut, pepper, cinnamon, anise, milk and dairyproducts, fresh fruits and juice, among other items.
Directorof VIETRADE Vu Ba Phu described the event which was held with over 5,000booths, attracting nearly 100,000 visitors, as an opportunity forVietnamese businesses to seek new partners and diversify their markets inthe context that they were finding it hard to export agricultural and aquaticproducts to traditional markets due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic./.