Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Mr. Nguyen Quoc Tri at the forum.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Mr. Nguyen Quoc Tri stated that Vietnamese agriculture has achieved many great achievements in recent times, making an important contribution to the country's overall economic development, and helping Vietnam surpass the group of low-middle-income countries. To date, Vietnamese agricultural products have been present in over 190 countries and territories, including many demanding markets such as the US, Japan, the European Union... Vietnam's agricultural product exports currently rank second in Southeast Asia and 15th in the world. In 2023, agricultural, forestry, and fishery export turnover has reached over USD 53 billion with commercial products reaching over USD 12 billion, an increase of 43.7% compared to 2022.

With favorable geographical conditions and open policies, Vietnam's increasingly improved investment and business environment has been bringing many new opportunities and advantages for investors, especially in the agricultural and rural areas. Vietnam's policies always create favorable conditions and an open environment for foreign investors, including investors from the Czech Republic.

The Deputy Minister hoped that the forum would introduce to Czech businesses and investors the potential, advantages, and investment needs in the fields of agriculture, forestry, and fishery in Vietnam. At the same time, this was also a good opportunity for businesses from both sides to contact, exchange information, and proceed to promote the signing of cooperation agreements, production and business, joint ventures, associations in trade, and investment for mutual benefit.

Minister of Agriculture of the Czech Republic Mr. Marek Výborný said that although the Czech Republic is well known for its key industry is high-quality automobile manufacturing, the Czech agricultural sector also has a lot of potential. Specifically, in the field of crop production, the Czech Republic is self-sufficient in most products, of which popular agricultural products are cereals, canola, potatoes, and sugar beets. The hops and grape growing industry also occupies an extremely important position and is also a traditional Czech production industry.

Minister of Agriculture of the Czech Republic Mr. Marek Výborný spoke at the forum.

Deputy Minister Mr. Nguyen Quoc Tri said that the Czech Republic could invest and transfer technology in processing and trading in agriculture, forestry, fisheries, animal husbandry products, veterinary medicine... and both sides have many advantages to complement and support each other to develop together. Vietnam's agricultural industry is strongly transforming from a production mindset to an economic mindset, promoting multi-value integration in agricultural, forestry, and aquatic products towards "green values" to create products with high value based on the effective exploitation of resources in science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation; shifting from agricultural supply chains to developing industry chains, connecting with global food chains.

Vietnam is increasingly deeply integrated into the world economy, having participated in 15 new-generation free trade agreements with over 60 countries and territories, with over 90% of tariff lines scheduled to be cut to 0%. This is a significant advantage for investors when investing and doing business in Vietnam, and it is a good opportunity for businesses from both sides to connect, exchange information, and move towards promoting the signing of cooperation agreements, production and business, joint ventures, and associations in trade and investment for mutual benefit. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development commits to supporting and creating favorable conditions to promote business, trade, and investment relations of Czech businesses in line with the laws and the Vietnamese government's policy of opening up and international economic integration.

Minister of Agriculture of the Czech Republic Mr. Marek Výborný emphasized that promoting cooperation in general between the two countries, especially in the field of agriculture, is important for both countries in the future. This business forum would bring new cooperation ideas, creating conditions for the business communities of both sides to learn more deeply, contributing to the development of joint projects and business activities between the two countries.