Japans call on Vietnam to improve logistics services
(VOV) - Representatives of Japanese enterprises have suggested that Vietnam beef up its efforts to improve transport and logistics services to bolster the development of agriculture.
Hirotaka Yasuzumi, Director of the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) in Ho Chi Minh City, offered the suggestion at a June 25 forum discussing measures to improve agriculture and the foodstuff industry.
Hirotaka said that to ensure the freshness and quality of agricultural produce, Vietnam should reduce the time it takes for the produce to get from the harvest point to the consumer.
This also contributes significantly to reducing post-harvest food losses in farm products such as fruits and vegetables he, said.
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Ironing out these types of issues will also result in increased Japanese foreign investment in the country.
Members of the Japanese business community, especially small-and medium-sized enterprises, who are seeking cooperative projects with Vietnamese partners in the food industry look favorably on the ability to quickly transport products as a means of minimising costs, Hirotaka said.
Vietnamese officials attending the forum said that an action plan to fast-track development of the transport infrastructure is in the pipeline for the agro-forestry and seafood processing industry within the framework of Vietnam-Japan cooperation towards 2020 and with a vision to 2030.
Deputy Head of the Agro-forestry Processing and Salt Industry Department Doan Xuan Hoa said the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) is also spearheading restructuring transport restructure as part of efforts to raise the added value and promote sustainable development in agriculture.