Continue to promote rice trade cooperation between Vietnam and the Philippines

Trade promotion activities will open up opportunities to further promote and strengthen cooperation between Vietnam and the Philippines, especially in the field of rice trade.

On November 8, the Vietnam Trade Office in the Philippines announced that, implementing the national trade promotion and work program in 2024, a working delegation of the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Vietnam Food Association led by Mr. Tran Quoc Toan - Deputy Director of the Import-Export Department had a working trip to the Philippines from November 3 to 6, 2024.

Following the direction of the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the request of the Vietnam Food Association, the Vietnam Trade Office in the Philippines has proactively supported the connection and arrangement of working schedules for the delegation with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Philippines, supported the organization of a survey program, research to grasp market information, consumer demand at wholesale markets, shopping centers and supermarket systems, supported the organization of a conference to promote rice trade and show gratitude to customers to create opportunities to find new partners in rice trade for businesses on both sides.

Photo of the two sides exchanging views after the first working session at the Philippine Department of Agriculture . Photo: Vietnam Trade Office in the Philippines

At the working session on November 4, 2024, the delegation was solemnly welcomed by the Philippine Department of Agriculture. In the first working session, the delegation was warmly welcomed by Mr. Roger V. Navarro - Undersecretary in charge of general operations and mechanization of aquaculture and fisheries, Mr. Christopher V. Morales - Undersecretary in charge of rice development and representatives of important rice-related management agencies under the Philippine Department of Agriculture such as: National Food Authority (NFA), Bureau of Plant Industry, National Rice Program, Department of International Relations and other agencies.

During the first working session, the two sides exchanged a lot of information related to the situation of rice production, import and export, opportunities and possibilities to open the market for many other agricultural, forestry and fishery products as well as the relationship between the two sides and the enhancement of exchanges and cooperation in the future.

At the second working session, the delegation was also welcomed by Mr. Deogracias Victor Barbers Savellano - Undersecretary in charge of livestock and poultry and other agricultural and forestry products, and representatives of a number of policy research agencies under the Philippine Department of Agriculture. At the working session, the two sides exchanged information on the possibility of cooperation in many fields, especially handicraft products, veterinary medicines and vaccines for livestock and poultry, learning experiences in producing export products from bamboo and rattan, potential cooperation in the field of planting and harvesting raw tobacco... The two sides agreed on the idea of ​​the Philippine delegation coming to Vietnam to visit and learn experiences in many fields, especially the production of bamboo and rattan products for export.

Photo of the two sides exchanging views after the second working session at the Philippine Department of Agriculture . Photo: Vietnam Trade Office in the Philippines

Also within the framework of the working trip, on November 5, 2024, the Delegation had a working session with the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Philippines to discuss issues related to the current situation, import and export of goods and the trade balance between the two countries. The representative of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Philippines was Ms. Marie Sherylyn D. Aquia - Director of the Department of International Trade Relations, with representatives from relevant agencies and representatives from the Philippine International Trading Corporation (PITC - Philippine International Trading Corporation) - a corporation under the Ministry of Industry and Trade with the function of carrying out activities and services related to import and export of goods proactively or under the direction of the Government .

At the meeting, both sides acknowledged and appreciated the positive changes and results in the trade relations between the two countries in recent times despite many difficulties. At the same time, they agreed to further strengthen cooperation and information exchange to remove obstacles and further promote trade and investment activities and increase trade turnover between the two countries.

Overview of the Rice Trade Promotion Conference at Diamond Hotel. Photo: Vietnam Trade Office in the Philippines

On the same afternoon, the Rice Trade Promotion and Customer Appreciation Conference was held at Diamond Hotel, Manila, Philippines to create opportunities for businesses on both sides to find partners in rice trade.

The conference was attended by over 20 reputable rice exporting enterprises who are members of the Vietnam Food Association, displaying, promoting and introducing rice products and some other agricultural products at the conference. The conference also attracted representatives of over 60 interested Philippine enterprises to participate.

In addition to representatives from businesses from both sides, there were also representatives from the Philippine Department of Agriculture and Department of Trade and Industry participating and delivering welcoming remarks at the conference. The total number of delegates attending the conference was over 160. The conference was an opportunity for businesses from both countries to directly meet and exchange information, learn about needs, and seek partners.

The results of exchanges and commitments between representatives of the two countries' agencies and effective trade promotion activities in the area will open up opportunities to further promote and enhance trade activities between the two countries.

Source: https://congthuong.vn/tiep-tuc-thuc-day-hop-tac-thuong-mai-gao-giua-hai-nuoc-viet-nam-va-philippines-357683.html