Milk is bottled at Internatioinal Dairy JSC. Many Irish firms have shown an interest in investing in Viet Nam's agriculture sector. — VNA/VNS Photo The Duyet

HA NOI (Biz Hub) — Ireland is interested in investing in Viet Nam's agriculture sector, said the Irish ambassador to Viet Nam, Damien Cole, at a ceremony here yesterday.

Ireland's Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development signed a memorandum of understanding on co-operation in agriculture and rural development.

The memorandum will provide a clear layout of how the two countries will co-operate across the agricultural sector, from improving food quality, hygiene and safety control to long-term investments in food production, processing and trade.

The two countries can support each other's agricultural pursuits despite the long distance between them, said Cao Duc Phat, the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development.

Viet Nam could learn from Ireland's experience in transforming an agricultural state into a modern, industrial one, Phat said.

Trade in agricultural goods between Ireland and Viet Nam has been steadily increasing. Last year it amounted to US$228.5 million.

Many Irish firms have shown interest in distributing milk and infant formulas, Cole said. Seventy Vietnamese milk distributors visited Ireland to seek opportunities last year.

Several Irish companies will export pork to Viet Nam now that the National Agro-Forestry-Fisheries Quality Assurance Department has granted them licences.

The free-trade agreement between Viet Nam and the EU will also create more opportunities for Ireland to access the Vietnamese market, Cole said.

The memorandum grew out of successful co-operation between Ireland and Viet Nam in the agriculture sector, including a visit to Ireland last year by a delegation from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural development. — VNS