In June 2024, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Do Thanh Trung and Ireland’s Minister of State Martin Heydon signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to boost diplomatic and trade cooperation.
Several Vietnamese officials participated in a study tour under the Ireland-Vietnam Agrifood Partnership (IVAP) programme, which is managed by Sustainable Food Systems Ireland (SFSI) and funded by the Embassy of Ireland.
The IVAP is designed to aid Vietnam in transforming its agri-food system by focusing on sustainable primary production systems, food safety, innovation, and quality. The visit emphasized knowledge exchange in enterprise, cooperative development, and agri-food innovation.
At the signing ceremony, Irish representatives stated that Ireland would continue to lead in agricultural improvements. The experiences of Irish companies in the agri-food systems could be applied to the environmental and economic challenges faced by countries like Vietnam.
As an EU member state, Ireland is eager to collaborate with Vietnam to ensure mutual benefits from the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement. Agri-food trade between Ireland and Vietnam is growing, and Vietnam is also a key market for Irish beef access.
A Government of Ireland Trade Mission to Vietnam is scheduled for October 2024, including visits to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, with participation from Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland, SFSI, and the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine (DAFM).
During the week, the delegation also visited Bord Bia, NovaUCD, the Irish Cooperative Organisation Society, Tirlán, and Teagasc Moorepark. This visit is part of the ongoing skills development and research programme under IVAP.
(Source: The Investor)
