The workshop focused on a series of topics relating to the enhancement of Vietnam’s potential to turn the country into one of the world’s leading nations in biotechnology and agricultural trade, genetic agriculture, the potential of maize, and GMO food trademark labels.

According to Ken Fairfax, US Consulate General in Ho Chi Ming City and Vietnamese Biotechnology Centre Director Duong Quang Xo, Vietnam is a developed agricultural country, which has transformed itself from a rice importer into the world’s second largest rice exporter. It is well known for its farm products like Robusta coffee, peppers, cashew nuts etc. Biotechnology in agriculture would benefit the country in terms of cost reduction, environmental protection, and protection of consumer’s health.

Vietnam is one of the world’s leading countries in consumption of farm products from biotechnology and agricultural production, as well as technology transfer, they said.