Minister Tran Duc Thang meets with Malaysian Ambassador Dato’ Tan Yang Thai on 14 November to discuss sectoral cooperation and advance the signing of an MoU between Viet Nam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and Malaysia’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security

Trade exchange and market access for agro-forestry-fishery products

Minister Tran Duc Thang highlighted that Vietnam and Malaysia have maintained a long-standing and trusted partnership. In 2024, the two countries upgraded their relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. He underlined that this meeting provides an important opportunity to translate high-level guidance into concrete cooperation.

Malaysia remains one of Vietnam’s stable markets for agro-forestry-fishery imports and exports. In 2024, two-way trade reached approximately USD 1.9 billion, with Vietnam exporting USD 1.15 billion and importing USD 750 million.

The Minister noted Vietnam’s interest in exporting processed pork, processed poultry meat, various types of poultry eggs (fresh and processed), as well as milk and dairy products. He requested Malaysia to provide sanitary and veterinary requirements, conditions, and export procedures for these products, and to continue facilitating market access for Vietnam’s agro-forestry-fishery goods.

Ambassador Dato’ Tan Yang Thai appreciates Viet Nam’s role in ensuring Malaysia’s food security during recent global disruptions in rice supply

For Vietnam’s fresh chili exports, the Minister proposed that Malaysia shorten the licensing process and extend the validity of import permits.

In response, Ambassador Dato’ Tan Yang Thai stressed the need for close cooperation on sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures to facilitate trade. He encouraged Vietnam to support trade facilitation for agricultural and halal products, promote environmentally friendly and digital agriculture, and expedite market access for Malaysian goods such as chicken meat, pasteurized chicken eggs, frozen duck/goose products, bird’s nests and bird’s nest products, and animal feed.

Regarding Malaysia’s market-access requests for livestock products and animal feed, Minister Tran Duc Thang assigned the Department of Animal Health and Production to act as the focal point and coordinate closely with the Malaysian competent authority to review and respond promptly to submitted dossiers.

The Minister emphasized the importance of promoting cooperation in the Halal sector—an area with significant potential and practical benefits for both sides. Vietnam has adopted a policy to develop a Halal ecosystem that aims to generate high-value products and services for domestic and international markets.

Future cooperation priorities

Minister Tran Duc Thang expressed Vietnam’s interest in working with Malaysia to advance technical cooperation, training, and technology transfer programs that support farmers and businesses in pursuing green and sustainable development goals.

Responding to the Ambassador’s proposal for a Memorandum of Understanding, the Minister requested the Joint Working Group of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment of Viet Nam and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security of Malaysia to urgently draft, discuss, and finalize an MoU on Cooperation in Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food Security, with the aim of signing it no later than December 2025.

The Minister underscores the need for closer Viet Nam–Malaysia cooperation on SPS measures to facilitate agricultural trade

He also asked the Ambassador to facilitate opportunities for Vietnamese seafood enterprises to explore investment and business prospects in Malaysia. Minister Tran Duc Thang highlighted that Viet Nam is accelerating key priorities in agriculture and trade, particularly low-emission sustainable agriculture; the green and circular economy; increased application of technology and innovation; and improved climate resilience.

To achieve these goals, Vietnam requires a genuine technological transformation, new business models, advanced management capabilities, and—critically—the partnership of the international business community, including Malaysian enterprises.

Regarding cooperation on combating IUU fishing, the Minister expressed Vietnam’s desire to continue close collaboration with Malaysia through concrete activities such as sharing information on regulations and licensing conditions for foreign fishing vessels operating in Malaysian waters, and exploring future cooperation in fisheries exploitation. He also emphasized timely information exchange on fisheries management, especially regarding IUU-related vessel activities, to ensure coordinated action consistent with the laws of both countries.

Both sides reaffirm their commitment to finalize the MoU for signing no later than December 2025, with Minister Tran Duc Thang highlighting its importance as a legal basis for strengthening cooperation and expanding investment opportunities

At the conclusion of the meeting, Minister Tran Duc Thang and Ambassador Dato’ Tan Yang Thai reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening comprehensive cooperation between Vienam and Malaysia in agriculture, fisheries, and food security. Both sides agreed to promote technical programs, training, technology transfer, and trade facilitation for agricultural and food products.

Khanh Linh - Ngoc Huyen