Vietnam, Malaysia cooperate to increase farm produce value
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong had talks with Malaysia’s Minister of Plantation, Industries and Commodities Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong in Hanoi on October 4 on how to tap the bilateral cooperation potential in promoting farm produce.
Hanoi (VNA) – Ministerof Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong had talks withMalaysia’s Minister of Plantation, Industries and Commodities Datuk Seri MahSiew Keong in Hanoi on October 4 on how to tap the bilateral cooperationpotential in promoting farm produce.
Minister Cuong highlighted the important role ofagriculture in both countries’ economy and job generation for farmers.
At present, agriculture contributes 11 percentto the gross domestic product (GDP) of Malaysia, and creates jobs for 16percent of the workforce.
Meanwhile, the sectoraccounts for 18 percent of Vietnam’s GDP and 70 percent of Vietnamesepopulation are living in rural areas.
The Vietnamese minister proposed that the twosides work together to enhance the value of products that they both produce.
Minister Datuk Seri MahSiew Keong said his country has strength in exporting palm oil, rubber, pepperand deep processing products.
Malaysia is importing rubber from Vietnam toproduce medical gloves, he said, adding that many Malaysian rubber and pepperbusinesses are eyeing the Vietnamese market.
He invited Vietnam to attend the upcomingInternational Rubber Tripartite Conference in Kuala Lumpur.
Regarding pepper products, the minister said Vietnamnow produces five times as much pepper than Malaysia, recalling that manydelegations of Vietnam visited Malaysia 10 years ago to study pepper productionfarms.
Vietnam is the biggest pepper manufacturer inthe world while Malaysia is leading in processed pepper products, Datuk said,adding that Malaysian businesses are ready to come to Vietnam to cooperate inprocessing pepper products.
Cuong said he hope the agricultural trade betweenVietnam and Malaysia will increase by one billion USD by 2020, contributing torealising the goal of 15 billion USD in bilateral trade value in 2020.-VNA
Vietnam and Malaysia recorded two-way trade of nearly 2.27 billion USD in the first quarter of 2017, a year-on-year increase of 39.7 percent, according to the Vietnamese Trade Office in Malaysia.
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said he will direct authorised agencies to work with Vietnam on the signing of an agreement on fishery cooperation while meeting Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh on July 13.
The relations between Malaysia and Vietnam, including Ho Chi Minh City, will develop more strongly and inclusively based on joint efforts and determination of their high-ranking leaders and people.
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Reality is the ultimate benchmark for success, he said, urging drafting agencies to work out policies that foster development, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and respect practical conditions.
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The Party chief underscored the need for the press to innovate relentlessly, evolve to keep pace with the country's development, transform into a truly professional, humanistic, and modern sector that serves the cause of the Party, the State, and the people on the path to national construction and development.
The UN Secretary-General praised Vietnam’s remarkable achievements in socio-economic development and international integration in recent years, noting that the country has emerged as a model in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting international peace and security, and engaging in key UN processes.
Nghia affirmed that this is a milestone of special significance, affirming and honouring the the Vietnamese revolutionary press’s glorious tradition of 100 years of serving the revolutionary cause of the Party, serving the Fatherland, and serving the people.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
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The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
Scene at the talks (Photo: baocongthuong.com.vn) 
