News:
On 10 April 2018, Ambassador of New Zealand to Viet Nam Wendy Matthews will officially announce import of rambutan from Viet Nam, making Viet Nam the first country to get a license to export fresh rambutan to New Zealand. Ambassador Matthews will hand over the signed Import Health Standard Export Plan for Rambutan to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
New Zealand experts from Plant & Food Research and the New Zealand Government-to-Government Partnerships Office (G2G) will also join Ambassador Matthews to discuss how New Zealand’s technical expertise and innovation in the agriculture sector can help support Viet Nam’s agriculture sector to be more internationally competitive.
The seminar is organised by the New Zealand Embassy and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam to support the Government of Viet Nam’s goal to enhance the productivity of its agricultural sector.
New Zealand Ambassador to Viet Nam, H.E. Wendy Matthews says: “New Zealand is one of the most efficient agricultural economies in the world, with a reputation for producing cutting edge research and technology, robust and safe agricultural practices and delicious and high quality products.”
“During his official visit to New Zealand in March this year, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc agreed with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to encourage further growth in two-way trade, including in areas such as high-tech agriculture. There are many opportunities for our agricultural sectors to cooperate to help support the development of Viet Nam’s growing agriculture sector and value chains”.
Background information:
- New Zealand has a global reputation for farming expertise, innovative agricultural related research and technology and quality food-production. This leading reputation for agri-business enables New Zealand to partner with countries looking for innovative systems and technology to meet the increasing demands for safe and secure supplies of food.
- New Zealand’s expertise in the horticulture sector is world-leading, including in relation to fruit genetics, horticulture commercialisation, pest management and post-harvest handling.
- New Zealand’s world class agriculture expertise is making a practical difference in Viet Nam by improving farmer income and food safety. Agriculture is one of four priorities for the New Zealand Aid Programme in Viet Nam, along with education, disaster risk management and renewable energy.
- Key projects include the Premium Fruit Variety Development Project to improve the income of Viet Nam’s dragon fruit farmers and develop new varieties for commercialisation; a safe vegetables project in Binh Dinh Province, and; a new Food Safety Project to assist Vietnamese food processing companies and supplier farmers to achieve safe food certification, improving income and reducing food risks for consumers.
- New Zealand also supports agriculture and food safety through its 30 post graduate scholarships offered each year; short term training scholarships; and the English Language Training for Officials programme.
- Two way trade in goods and services between New Zealand and Viet Nam in 2017 totalled almost US$1.24 billion in 2017, representing a 32% increase over 2016.
- Bilateral goods trade has tripled since the signing of the ASEAN, Australia, and New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA) in 2009. There are significant opportunities to expand growth, particularly in agricultural cooperation, education and tourism.
- Both countries are members of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which was officially signed on 8 March 2018 in Chile.
- The New Zealand Government-Government (G2G) Partnerships Office provides a way for overseas governments to access proven New Zealand know-how on a commercial basis as they go about growing their own capability. \The G2G team connects Viet Nam with key government agencies, as well as science, research and education institutes, and private sector participants. They can access the best expertise – both public and private. For more information, please visit: http://www.g2g.govt.nz/(external link)
- Plant & Food Research NZ Ltd supports the New Zealand agriculture industry with new horticulture, viticulture, food and food safety technologies
Contact:
Nguyen Ngoc Tram
Communications and Public Affairs Adviser
Email: Tram.Nguyen@mft.net.nz Tel: +84 912 893 964