Signing a letter of intent on seafood cooperation between Vietnam and Norway

On the afternoon of May 22, 2021, the forum "Development of the marine aquaculture industry on an industrial scale" and the signing ceremony of "Letter of Intent on Strengthening and Developing Cooperation in the field of marine aquaculture between Norway and Vietnam" took place online. The event was held on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Norway and Vietnam (1971-2021) and nearly 40 years of bilateral cooperation between the two countries in the field of fisheries.

At the forum "Development of the marine aquaculture industry on an industrial scale", Norwegian speakers presented lessons learned in planning and developing salmon farming, credit policies to support seafood exports, a model of tripartite cooperation involving the state, industry and Norwegian research institutions. The parties also discussed solutions to develop sustainable industrial-scale marine aquaculture in Vietnam and potential cooperation between the two sides.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien emphasized: "Through the signing of the letter of intent, I would like to emphasize a number of issues that need cooperation attention: Norway supports human resources experts , a financial source within the framework of bilateral cooperation to help Vietnam's seafood industry enforce the fisheries law and the agreements Vietnam is participating in to overcome the yellow card in the near future.

In addition, he suggested Norway's food safety agency coordinate with the Department of Animal Health and the Department of Agro-Forestry-Fisheries Management to coordinate information exchange on regulations on export of aquatic products in particular and products of animal origin, in general. At the same time, he asked Norway to continue to support staff training and send experts to support testing centers in Vietnam.