Vietnam calls on Swiss investors in agriculture

Nam highlighted Vietnam’s economic achievements, including the highest growth in the region, in recent years since the country implemented its renewal policies.

Vietnam is one of the world largest exporters of many agricultural products such as rice, coffee, cashew, rubber, aquatic products, wood and wooden products, he noted.

The officials stressed that Vietnam is restructuring its agriculture towards higher value, high technology, organic and sustainable growth, with priority on processing and raising quality and added value of agricultural products.

Swiss businesses operating in Vietnam’s agriculture sector, including Nestle, Tetra Pak, Buhler, Bucher, Syngenta, have shown their pioneering role in renovating their products, enhancing quality and added value of the products, thus promoting many farm produce of Vietnam in the international market, he said.

Vietnam and the European Free Trade Area (EFTA), in which Switzerland is a member, have been negotiating for a free trade agreement. After being signed and becoming effective, the deal will open up great chances for businesses of both sides to boost their partnership, Nam said.

Meanwhile, Marc Townsend, Chairman of the Vietnam Committee under the Swiss-Asian Chamber of Commerce, said that many Swiss firms has long experience in partnering with Vietnamese farmers, including Nestle that has been operating in the Southeast Asian country since 1912.

Vietnam is strong in the production of rice, pepper corn, cashew and tropical fruits, he held.

Townsend revealed that Swiss enterprises interested in Vietnam have considered the introduction of new Swiss invention into Vietnam, including environmental-friendly technology, and smart cultivation techniques. They have sought opportunities to bring Vietnamese products to the world, he added.

He asserted that the investment environment of Vietnam is attractive. He advised Swiss firms who are keen on expanding investment in Vietnam should thoroughly study the market and demand in Vietnam, along with the culture and working methods of Vietnamese people.

Tran Van Cong, deputy head of the Department of Farm Produce Processing and Market Development under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, introduced investment and business opportunities in Vietnam’s agricultural sector.

Vietnam is now ranking 13th in the world in terms of farm produce exports, while its agricultural products have been available in 180 countries.

Vietnam has 10 major products with export revenue exceeding US$1 billion - aquatic products, wood and wooden products, cashew, coffee, vegetable, rice, pepper corn, rubber and cassava.

Cong also clarified Vietnam’s policies in luring investment in agriculture and rural development as well as incentives for high technology businesses.

He said that Vietnam is willing to apply special preferential policies for Swiss firms in agricultural machineries, processing technology, and high-tech agriculture.

On the sidelines of the forum, businesses of both sides tasted famous agricultural and beverage products of Vietnam.