Viet Nam, Georgia sign MoU on agritrade and scientific cooperation

MoU focuses on promoting trade in agricultural and fishery products between Viet Nam and Georgia.

On October 12 (local time), Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Vo Van Hung led a Vietnamese delegation in a meeting with Nino Tandilashvili, Georgia's First Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture.

Deputy Minister Vo Van Hung affirmed that Viet Nam attaches great importance to strengthening and developing its friendship and cooperation with Georgia. Amid ongoing global economic uncertainties, agricultural cooperation remains an area with significant potential, contributing to food security, economic growth and improved livelihoods for the people of both countries.

Viet Nam has strengths in the production and export of a wide range of agricultural, forestry and fishery products, including rice, coffee, tea, pepper, cashew nuts, fruits and vegetables, and processed products. Georgia, meanwhile, has advantages in livestock farming, temperate crops, grapes, wine and other specialty agricultural products. The complementary nature of the two countries’ production structures and agricultural strengths offers opportunities to expand bilateral trade, diversify markets and meet consumer demand.

Expanding trade and technical cooperation

To unlock this potential, Deputy Minister Vo Van Hung proposed that the two sides strengthen information sharing on market demand, import regulations, quality standards and agricultural distribution systems.

Viet Nam also proposed that Georgia explore Vietnamese agricultural and fishery products with strong export potential, particularly seafood, coffee and processed agricultural products. The two sides could work together to address challenges related to market access, animal and plant quarantine requirements, and food safety regulations, thereby facilitating import and export activities.

In the fields of science and technology, the two ministries could explore opportunities for expert exchanges, knowledge sharing, and the organization of training programs, study visits and technical workshops. Proposed areas of cooperation include crop varieties, agricultural production techniques, post-harvest technologies, processing, quality management and agricultural traceability.

Both sides also encouraged businesses to explore investment opportunities in agricultural production, processing, storage, logistics and distribution, while strengthening information sharing on the investment environment and facilitating connections between potential partners.

Memorandum establishes a framework for long-term cooperation

During the meeting, the two sides signed a MoU on agricultural cooperation, laying the groundwork for closer coordination between the two ministries in the coming years.

The MoU focuses on promoting trade in agricultural and fishery products between Viet Nam and Georgia, as well as exchanging expertise and organizing training programs, consultations, study visits and workshops. Both sides also encourage exchanges of experts, scientists, technical officials, and trainees involved in agricultural and fisheries production, scientific research, and teaching.

In addition, the two sides will strengthen cooperation to protect public health, animal health and plant health, thereby facilitating bilateral trade. They agreed to promote direct communication channels to exchange information and address issues related to animal and plant quarantine and market access.

Deputy Minister Vo Van Hung said the MoU would serve as a foundation for the two ministries to develop concrete cooperation activities tailored to each country's needs and conditions. Building on this framework, both sides should step up exchanges of delegations at various levels, maintain regular communication channels and explore opportunities to expand cooperation into other areas of mutual interest.

According to the Deputy Minister, beyond agriculture, the two countries could gradually expand cooperation to include environmental protection and climate change, enhancing the effectiveness of bilateral cooperation and leveraging each side’s strengths.

Kieu Chi