Vietnam - Italy: Coordinate and promote agricultural cooperation

DNHN - In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Italy, the Vietnamese Embassy in Italy held events in the Central Italian city of Rieti as part of the Vietnam-Italy Year 2023.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Italy, the Vietnamese Embassy in Italy organised events in the central Italian city of Rieti, with a focus on participation in the International Chilli Fair and the 12th Rieti Spices, held from August 30 to September 3.

Along with Italy's Minister of Agriculture Francesco Lollobrigida and Italian officials including Lazio Regional Councillor Manuela Rinaldi, Premier Rieti Gennaro Capo, Mayor of Rieti Daniele Sinibalda, and President of the Rieti Chilli Association Livio Rositani, the Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy Duong Hai Hung was invited to attend the opening ceremony of this year's fair.

With over 160 booths and 450 varieties of chilli from around the globe, as well as cultural activities and traditional cuisine, the event attracts tens of thousands of chilli enthusiasts from all over Italy, as well as foreign tourists. The Vietnamese product booth, organised by the Vietnamese Embassy and the Trade Office in Italy in collaboration with domestic agricultural export enterprises, displayed not only chilli products but also pepper, tea, coffee, cinnamon, star anise, etc.

Minister Lollobrigida visited the booth of the Vietnamese Embassy and spoke with Ambassador Duong Hai Hung about fostering bilateral agricultural relations. Both sides lauded Italy and Vietnam's contributions to agriculture, affirming that the two countries are significant partners. Minister Lollobrigida expressed a desire to strengthen ties with Vietnam. Minister Lollobrigida was ecstatic to be invited to partake in mooncakes and mooncakes and drink Vietnamese green tea.

Ambassador Duong Hai Hung informed Minister Lollobrigida that agricultural products are Vietnam's leading export industry, with a projected export turnover of 53,2 billion USD in 2022, including many well-known products like coffee, rubber, rice, vegetables, pepper, and cashew nuts. Vietnam is the second largest supplier of coffee to the European Union (EU) behind Brazil.

Vietnam's exports of 5,1 million USD of pepper, 41 million USD of cashew nuts, 295 million USD of coffee, and spice products such as cinnamon and anise, which accounted for approximately 3 per cent of Italy's market share, demonstrate the demand and mutual complementarity of the two sides.

Then, at the Fair's opening Gala Dinner, Ambassador Duong Hai Hung emphasised that the annual Rieti Chilli and Spice Fair has become a brand, a highly anticipated event, and a platform for display. In addition to presenting and introducing chilli and spices, this event helps connect countries.

Vietnam's continuous presence at the Fair has demonstrated its support and appreciation for this significant event, while also demonstrating its strength and dedication to its ability to supply chilli and spice products. Vietnam's distinctive characteristics, as well as opportunities for promoting the vast potential for cooperation between Vietnam and Italy in this field.

Vietnam is a good opportunity for Italy to increase market expansion for agricultural, forestry, and fishery products, according to the Ambassador, who cited the country's goal of developing a modern, green, and sustainable agriculture and its 100 million-person market. The cooperation between the two nations can be strengthened to develop modern and sustainable agricultural products.

Ngoc Phi (TH)