On 21st May 2021, Royal Norwegian Embassy, Innovation Norway, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry have cooperatively held a virtual forum in Hanoi on the theme of marine farming development on the industrial scale of Vietnam.
The forum was organized to celebrate 50 years of establishment of public relations between Norway and Vietnam (1971 – 2021) and nearly 40 years of bilateral cooperation in the aquaculture industry between 2 countries. Ms. Grete Lochen, Norwegian Ambassador in Vietnam and Mr. Phung Duc Tien, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development have directly participated in the forum held in the headquarter of Directorate of Fisheries. MA. Tran Dinh Luan, Director General of Directorate of Fisheries and Mr. Arne-Kjetil Lian, Director of Innovation Norway hosted the forum.
Overall picture of the virtual forum in the theme of the aquaculture industry development on industrial scale in Vietnam.
This event was held in order to exchange information and share experience among parties about important factors, which are policy planning and development that lead to success of the marine farming industry. The policies consist of credit policy, government administration, human resource and vocational training, green and intelligent technological solutions in order to help businesses invest, contribute to the development of the industry towards efficiency, sustainability and protection of marine resources. At the event, speakers presented a 3-party cooperation model, including government, the industry and Norwegian research units. Amidst the pandemic COVID-19, the event was the best opportunity for Norwegian and Vietnamese companies to maintain relationships, learn more about each other, and prepare future cooperation plans.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien spoke at the beginning of the forum
In the beginning speech, the Norwegian Ambassador Grete Lochen said: “2021 is a special year for both Norway and Vietnam. We are so proud of this bilateral cooperation relationship in the aquaculture industry. Now, we are together finding ways to improve commerce and investment in the aquaculture industry in Vietnam. When talking about industrial-scale sustainable development in this industry, Norway has many things to share based on lessons learned through our renowned salmon industry”.
Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien said: “In the past 4 decades, Norway has provided great technical support for Vietnam’s fisheries industry. The cooperation has brought massive benefits for the economy and has also contributed to the profound relationship between 2 countries.
Ms. Grete Lochen – Norwegian Ambassador in Vietnam spoke at the forum
The fishery development strategy in Vietnam in the period of 2021-2030 with a vision to 2045, which has been approved by the Prime Minister in March 2021, has suggested several objectives. These include reduction in the intense exploitation of natural marine resources and increase in marine farming in appropriate areas. In addition, the strategy also aimed to develop the aquaculture industry in Vietnam towards a more modern, competitive way and ability to be deeply involved in the global value chain. Moreover, the strategy also objected to linking related parties together to make full use of potential and to responsibly and sustainably use marine resources.
Representatives of 2 countries signed the Letter of Intent
Tran Dinh Luan, Director General of Directorate of Fisheries shared: “In order to achieve these above objectives, industrial-scale marine farming is a solution. Therefore, such practical lessons including applying high technology, investing in Norwegian businesses’ marine farming would be extremely helpful for industrial-scale sustainable development of marine farming in Vietnam.”
Representatives of 2 countries signed the LOI and witnessed through virtual form
On this occasion of prompting results relating to firm and effective cooperation in recent years, Mr. Phung Duc Tien, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development and Ms. Trini Danialsen, Secretary of State for Ministry of Industry & Trade and Fisheries have signed the Letter of Intent about reinforcing and developing cooperation between 2 nations in the aquaculture industry. This was the next step to strongly strengthen the cooperation between Norway and Vietnam in this field.
