HÀ NỘI – In recognition of the importance of agriculture to the Australia-Việt Nam bilateral relationship, Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources Senator the Hon. Anne Ruston launched the "Australia in Vietnam Agriculture Strategy" in Cần Thơ on Thursday.

The strategy identifies economic, innovation and security priorities for both nations that offer the greatest returns and maximise common interests.

“We have built the foundation of our agriculture relationship through over 40 years of collaboration in the agriculture, fisheries, forestry and water sectors,” Assistant Minister Ruston said.

“It is a foundation that provides us with great opportunities to expand and grow in the future. The ’Australia in Vietnam Agriculture Strategy’ recognises the value of growing our bilateral trade in agriculture and building on the investments both nations are already making,” Ruston added.

The Australia - Việt Nam agriculture partnership is largely complementary, says a press release issued by the Australia Embassy in Hà Nội on Friday. Australia predominately exports raw materials, which are processed and value-added in Việt Nam.

Australian technologies are being utilised in Vietnamese agribusinesses to improve productivity and safety and Australia’s investments are diversifying Việt Nam’s manufacturing industries beyond textiles and electronics and into food processing.

“Australia’s agriculture relationship with Việt Nam cuts across all key pillars of our bilateral relationship -- economic, innovation and security,” Australian Ambassador to Việt Nam Craig Chittick said.

“As ambassador, I am constantly impressed with the breadth and depth of our work in agriculture, from projects that help smallholder farmers establish a business supplying safe vegetables to supermarkets in Hà Nội, to large Vietnamese companies using Australian technology to pioneer sustainable shrimp farming in Việt Nam.”

Australia is also importing an increasing range of Vietnamese agricultural products, including seafood, nuts, tropical fruit and manufactured timber.  – VNS