Vietnam looks to foster exports to Australia: diplomat

In an interview with Vietnam News Agency reporters on the sidelines of the ongoing 29th Diplomatic Conference in Hanoi, Vietnamese Ambassador to Australia Luong Thanh Nghi highlighted strong development in the bilateral ties in recent years, especially after the two nations established a comprehensive partnership in 2009, which was agreed to lift to the next level six years later. 

Economic, trade and investment collaboration between the two countries has recorded fruitful outcomes, with an annual increase of over 10 percent in two-way trade turnover since the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement ( AANZFTA ), which both countries are parties, became effective in 2010. 

At present, almost goods of Vietnam exporting to Australia and vice versa are enjoyed zero tariff. 

Vietnam’s export turnover to Australia increases between US$5 billion and US$7 billion per year, with crude oil, frozen aquatic products, coffee and pepper being Vietnam’s key exports to Australia. 

Vietnam shipped lychees to Australia from 2015, while beginning to sell Cat Chu and Hoa Loc mangos in the country in August this year. 

These are positive signals for Vietnamese farmers because their products can make inroads into one of the most choosy markets in the world, Nghi said, adding that this will pave the way for Vietnamese fruits and vegetables to other markets such as the US, Japan and New Zealand. 

However, the ambassador pointed out difficulties concerning quarantine and food safety facing to Vietnam, saying that Vietnamese agencies, businesses, farmers, and scientists need to take initiatives in agricultural production in order to better the quality of goods to meet requirements of foreign markets.