Nearly 100 Japanese businesses on March 4 gathered at a forum in Chiba prefecture, Japan, to exchange success stories and experience in investing in agriculture and fisheries in Vietnam.

The event, jointly held by the Vietnam Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan, created partnership opportunities for 13 participating Vietnamese companies as well.

According to Commercial Counsellor to Japan Nguyen Trung Dung, agro-fisheries cooperation has significantly contributed to the two countries’ economic development.

Apart from traditional realms such as the manufacturing industry and trade, Japanese firms could be potential investors in Vietnam’s agro-fisheries, he said, adding that the partnership in the field will be a win-win one.

To Thi Tuong Lan, Deputy General Secretary of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers, pointed to the fact that while Japan is Vietnam’s third largest seafood exporter, making up 7.8 percent of the country’s market share, the Southeast Asian country ranked eighth among Japan’s seafood providers with 9 percent in 2012.

Between 1993 and 2011, Japan remained the largest single import market of Vietnam’s seafood, accounting for an average 26 percent.

Along with fisheries, Vietnamese fruits such as mango, durian, grapefruit and dragon are also seeking ways to enter Japan, where market requirements are particularly strict.

Nguyen Thanh Binh, Director of VEGETEXCO JSC, said last year Vietnam shipped 1,000 tonnes of dragons to Japan, suggesting Vietnamese businesses pay more attention to improving the quality of products.

At the forum, a representative of Yasaka - a Japanese firm operating in Vietnam for two decades - affirmed the significance of technical transfer in the preservation of fruits and other farm produce, saying this is the key for Vietnamese fruits to conquer the Japanese market.-VNA