Singapore keens to import more agriproducts from Viet Nam

On May 25, HE. Trinh Viet Hung, Member of the Party Central Committee and Minister of Agriculture and Environment, received Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Singapore to Viet Nam Rajpal Singh for a courtesy meeting to discuss directions for enhancing bilateral cooperation in agriculture, environmental management, and green transition.

At the meeting, Minister Trinh Viet Hung noted that Singapore has extensive experience in environmental management, climate change response, and the development of green-oriented transport systems, making it a valuable partner for Viet Nam to learn from and strengthen cooperation with in the coming period.

HE. Mr Rajpal Singh said that bilateral relations are entering a period of strong development following the elevation of ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership last year. According to the Ambassador, this provides a favorable opportunity for both sides to promote information exchange, strengthen coordination among management agencies, and effectively implement new cooperation programs.

Ambassador Rajpal Singh affirmed that Singapore is committed to supporting Viet Nam in achieving its goal of double-digit economic growth. He also noted that bilateral cooperation in agriculture, environmental management, and green transition will contribute to helping Viet Nam realize its sustainable development objectives.

The two sides agreed to expand cooperation in agricultural trade, carbon credits, and urban environmental management.

Regarding agricultural trade, Minister Trinh Viet Hung proposed that Singapore support the opening of its market for eggs and frog meat through enhanced coordination within the Joint Task Force. 

For rice exports, the Minister noted that Viet Nam’s rice exports to Singapore are showing positive growth, but trade turnover still has significant room for expansion. He also suggested that Singapore consider supporting the development of specialized rice-growing areas in Viet Nam dedicated to serving exports to the Singaporean market.

Ambassador Rajpal Singh praised Viet Nam’s role in ensuring regional food security and said Singapore aims to increase rice imports from Viet Nam. According to him, Viet Nam can consider Singapore an important regional transshipment hub for agricultural products.

He also noted that Singapore has approved the import of processed poultry products from Viet Nam and is continuing to consider opening its market to eggs, frozen poultry meat, and pork. In return, Singapore expressed interest in exporting processed meat products to the Viet Namese market.

Regarding carbon credit cooperation, Minister Trinh Viet Hung highly appreciated Singapore’s goodwill and commitment to working with Viet Nam in implementing and soon operationalizing agreements under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement between Viet Nam and Singapore.

The Singaporean side also affirmed its readiness to support Viet Nam in training and capacity building for officials in the fields of environmental management and carbon credits.

Trinh Viet Hung expressed his hope that Singapore would further share its experience in operating carbon credit exchanges, thereby helping Viet Nam gradually develop its domestic carbon market and move toward integration with international markets.

Concluding the meeting, Minister Trinh Viet Hung thanked Singapore for its commitments to cooperation and reaffirmed that Viet Nam always values its relationship with Singapore based on the principles of peace, security, mutual benefit, and sustainable development in the region.