Vietnam calls on Brazilian businesses to support PTA negotiations with MERCOSUR
VOV.VN - Vietnamese Ambassador to Brazil Bui Van Nghi has called on the Brazilian business community to actively support the negotiation process of the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between Vietnam and the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR), aiming to expand market access, boost bilateral trade, and investment cooperation.
Ambassador Bui Van Nghi made the call during his working trip to São Paulo from October 18 to 22 at the Latin American Seafood Show 2026 and during meetings with Brazilian associations, conglomerates, and enterprises.
In working sessions with representatives of the Federation of Commerce of Goods, Services and Tourism of the State of São Paulo (Fecomercio-SP) and the Federation of Industries of the State of São Paulo (FIESP), the Vietnamese diplomat highlighted the huge potential for bilateral cooperation and requested these organizations to enhance business linkages, introduce commercial opportunities in Vietnam, and support pushing forward the Vietnam-MERCOSUR PTA negotiations. Both sides also discussed holding workshops, online matchmaking events, and business delegation exchanges to better exploit each market's potential.
Speaking at the Latin American Seafood Show 2026, Ambassador Bui Van Nghi highly valued the event's role in connecting producers, processors, importers, and distributors, enabling Vietnamese firms to expand their presence in Brazil and the wider Latin American region. The exhibition drew 14 Vietnamese enterprises, including 9 members of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).
Participation in the exhibition contributed to promoting the production capacity, quality, and diversity of Vietnamese seafood, while creating opportunities for businesses to seek partners, update market demands, and expand distribution networks. This was also an occasion for enterprises from both countries to discuss bolstering cooperation to meet Brazil's quality standards, technical requirements, and import regulations.
In side meetings, the Vietnamese ambassador encouraged Brazilian businesses to increase imports of Vietnamese seafood and enhance direct connections between suppliers and distribution partners. Both sides discussed issues related to tariffs, technical inspection, and customs clearance timelines to facilitate bilateral trade.
Working with JBS Group, a world-leading enterprise in processing and distributing meat and animal-based food products, Ambassador Bui Van Nghi urged the Brazilian firm to expand sourcing, diversify products, and strengthen ties with Vietnamese suppliers. The two sides discussed bringing more processed Vietnamese seafood, food products, and tropical fruits into Brazil's distribution network to better tap local market demand.
Headquartered in Brazil with a global operational network, JBS has invested in leather processing and frozen food distribution in Vietnam. In July 2025, JBS exported its first 27-tonne batch of Brazilian beef to Vietnam. JBS also announced plans to invest US$100 million in building two processing plants for beef, pork, and poultry in Vietnam to serve the domestic and Southeast Asian markets.
Expanding cooperation with JBS is expected to enhance agricultural and food supply chain connectivity between the two countries, while creating further opportunities for Vietnamese agricultural products to access the Brazilian market and the group's global distribution network.
Ambassador Bui Van Nghi also held working sessions with technology, energy, infrastructure, and investment companies, encouraging enhanced cooperation, technology transfer, and joint project development. Several Brazilian enterprises expressed interest in investment and joint-venture opportunities with Vietnamese partners, planning to send a delegation to Vietnam in early 2027 to explore the market.
Vietnam and Brazil elevated their relations to a Strategic Partnership in November 2024. Amid expanding bilateral cooperation, accelerating the Vietnam-MERCOSUR PTA negotiations is expected to add impetus to trade exchanges, supply diversification, and business opportunities for both business communities.
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