Vietnam agri firms seek cooperation opportunities in Switzerland

A trade and investment promotion forum on agriculture in Zurich, Switzerland on June 29 helped businesses of the two countries find agricultural cooperation opportunities.

​Vietnamese and Swiss businesses find cooperation opportunities in agriculture

Marc Townsend, chairman of the Vietnam Committee under the Swiss-Asian Chamber of Commerce, said that many Swiss firms are experienced in partnering with Vietnamese farmers. Among them, Nestle that was once present in the Southeast Asian country in 1912.

Vietnam is strong in the production of rice, pepper, cashew and tropical fruits. Swiss enterprises keen on Vietnam’s market have considered the introduction of new Swiss invention into Vietnam, including environmental-friendly technology, he said.

Some Swiss enterprises also want to bring smart cultivation techniques that have been successfully applied in parts of Asia such as Japan or Taiwan (China). Besides, they have sought opportunities to bring Vietnamese products to the world, Townsend 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.

Towsend affirmed that investors will have good revenue, both in the short and long term.

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, Cong said.

Vietnam has 10 major products with export revenue exceeding US$1 billion each which are aquatic products, wood and wooden products, cashew, coffee, vegetable, rice, pepper, rubber and cassava, he added.

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.

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

The official 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.