Improving competitive edge for agricultural and aquatic products
(VOV) - Strengthening competitive capacity for Vietnam’s agricultural and seafood products was discussed at a seminar in Hanoi on July 17.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ha Cong Tuan and Danish ambassador, John Nielsen said that the aim of the seminar was to improve transparency of information and ensure sustainable development for Vietnam’s agricultural and seafood products.
In addition, it also aimed to raise export business awareness about electronic tracing of product origin and its impact on improving the competitive edge of businesses in the international market.
Dr. Dang Kim Son, Director of the Institute of Policy and Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development (IPSARD) highlighted requirements for transparency of information, price, tastes, demand and policies in exporting farm produce.
Dr Son emphasized that although Vietnam’s coffee exports ranked second and its seafood exports came fifth in the world, the country’s exports of unprocessed farm produce make up to 90 percent of the total agricultural sector.
Delegates delivered reports on regulations about origin traceability for agricultural products imposed by Vietnam, EU, the US, Canada and Japan and emphasized the need to put an electronic traceability system into widespread use, while persuading businesses and management agencies to raise their awareness about the issue.
They also recommended that State management agencies such as the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Vietnam Customs and the Department of Food and Hygiene Safety issue regulations to apply an electronic traceability system and promote cooperation with independent international standards organisations.