Vietnam attends AgriTech 2018 in Israel

Hanoi (VNA) – Representatives from Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and businesses participated in the 20th International Agricultural Exhibition and Conference (Agritech 2018) in Israel on May 8-10.

The event offered an excellent opportunity for agro-enterprises to share experience in various fields such as ecological agriculture, fertilizers and chemicals, animal husbandry and milk production, net house cultivation, biotechnology, organic agriculture, fisheries, floriculture, plant protection, and marketing and export services.

Agritech 2018 is one of the world’s most important exhibitions on hi-tech agriculture organized by Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Economy once every three years since 1958 with the aim of promoting Israel’s advanced technologies and connecting Israeli businesses with foreign partners.

This year’s event featured over 250 pavilions and attracted over 10,000 visitors. 

The same day, a business forum between Vietnam and Israel was held. 

Director General of Israel’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Shlomo Ben Eliyahu said business communities play a crucial role in promoting the cooperative relations between the two countries.

Deputy head of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations Nguyen Huy Tang said Agritech 2018 enabled Vietnamese businesses to study the latest technologies that are being applied in agriculture in Israel as well as seek cooperation opportunities with Israeli agro-companies.

Despite geographical distance, the two countries have enjoyed sound relations in wide-ranging fields, according to Tang.

This year, Vietnam and Israel mark the 25th anniversary of diplomatic ties, he said, adding that over the past 25 years, the bilateral collaboration has been stepped up across the board, particularly in science-technology and agriculture.

Since 2014, the two-way trade has continuously grown, at over 1 billion USD per year, he noted.

Israel is running 27 foreign direct investment (FDI) projects in Vietnam with a total registered capital of more than 66 million USD, he said, adding that the two countries are pushing ahead with negotiations on the bilateral free trade agreement (FTA).

Tang said he hopes the Vietnam – Israel FTA will be signed soon, creating a legal framework for and facilitating bilateral trade.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Hoang Van Thang expressed his confidence in the stronger cooperation between Vietnam and Israel, especially in agriculture. 

Addressing the forum, Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Cao Tran Quoc Hai said the Vietnamese Government and people attach much importance to the comprehensive cooperation with Israeli State and people.

He highlighted remarkable achievements in the bilateral collaboration in economy, politics, culture, security and defence.

Notably, two-way trade hit 1 billion USD in 2017, fivefold against 2009, he raised the fact.

The two sides have conducted four rounds of negotiation for the bilateral FTA with important agreements expected to be reached soon, he added.

According to the Ambassador, apart from economic and trade cooperation, many Vietnamese localities and businesses and Israeli partners have successfully transferred technologies to carry out hi-tech agricultural projects including dairy production of TH True Milk and growing vegetable in greenhouses of Vingroup.

He highlighted the significance of the forum, which aimed to put forth orientations to strengthen economic partnership between Vietnam and Israel in the future as well as establish a foundation for business connectivity and update businesses with investment cooperation opportunities.-VNA