VOV.VN - Despite the negative impact caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnam’s agricultural sector raked in US$35.5 billion from exports during the opening nine months of the year, a rise of 17.7% year on year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD).

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan on October 1 suggested EU firms increase investments in Vietnam’s agriculture, in the direction of high-technology, green standards and environmental sustainability.

Non-state sector became the main driver of Ho Chi Minh City’s foreign trade during the first nine months of this year, with its exports and imports increasing 3.5% and 39.7%, respectively, according to the municipal statistics office.

With the right blend of focus, support and adaptability, Vietnam should represent an attractive growth opportunity for Australia's AgTech innovators, according to director at Beanstalk Agtech and Global Program Lead for GRAFT Vietnam Challenge 2021 Justin Ahmed.

Vietnam looks to connect 5 million farming households to e-commerce platforms this year, which would create breakthroughs in the development of the digital economy in the agriculture sector, Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Pham Anh Tuan said.

The agriculture sector became the economy's bright spot in the first seven months of this year, posting a trade surplus of US$3.9 billion in the period.

The second National Food Systems Summit Dialogue was held by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), in partnership with a number of ministries, the UN in Vietnam and international development partners in Hanoi on July 16.

According to the State Bank of Vietnam’s department of credit for economic sectors, as of April credit injected into rural and agricultural development had reached VND2.3 quadrillion (US$100 billion), or 24.6% of the banking sector’s total loans.

Export turnover in agriculture, forestry and fisheries reached US$24.23 billion in the first half of 2021, up 28.2% year-on-year.

Representatives of the agriculture sector of Vietnam and Australia have agreed to accelerate work to allow the import of more farm produce of each other at the recent third Vietnam – Australia agriculture forum.