Developing Vietnam’s marine aquaculture on industrial scale

The webinar was co-organized by The Royal Norwegian Embassy in Vietnam, Innovation Norway Vietnam, the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development (MARD), and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce & Industry (VCCI) on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between Norway and Vietnam (1971-2021) and 30 years of bilateral cooperation between the two countries in the field of marine aquaculture.

The event was followed by a back-to-back Signing Ceremony of a Letter of Intent between the Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Fisheries and MARD on strengthening and developing cooperation in the marine aquaculture industry.

The webinar at the office of Vietnam Directorate of Fisheries saw the direct attendance of The Royal Norwegian Embassy Ambassador in Vietnam Grete Lochen, Deputy Minister of MARD, Director General of Directorate of Fisheries Tran Dinh Luan, and Director of Innovation Norway Arne-Kjetil Lian. The event also featured as many as 150 representatives from Norway and the Vietnamese sides who are working in the field of marine aquaculture.

It was a forum for the two sides to exchange information and share experience in important factors that determine the success of marine aquaculture industry including policies planning and building such as credit policy, state management, human resource training & vocational training, green and smart technology solutions to help businesses invest and contribute to the development of the industry towards efficiency, sustainability and protection of marine resources.

At the event, the speakers presented about Norway's tripartite cooperation model including state, industry, and research institutions. In the context of Covid-19, this event is a good opportunity for Norwegian and Vietnamese companies to maintain relations, study more and prepare for future cooperation.

Speaking at the event, Grete Lochen said: “2021 is a special year to Norway and Vietnam. We are both proud of the bilateral relations in the field of marine aquaculture throughout over 40 years. And now, together we are finding out more ways to promote the trade and investment in marine agriculture in Vietnam. Regarding the sustainable development of marine aquaculture on an industrial scale, Norway is willing to share our lessons basing on what we have collected from the famous salmon industry.”

Deputy Minister MARD Phung Duc Tien spoke about the webinar: “Over the four decades, Norway has supported significantly for Vietnam’s marine aquaculture. The cooperation between the two countries has benefited the two economies as well as deepen the good relations between the two sides.”

Vietnam's fisheries development strategy for the period of 2021-2030, vision to 2045 approved by the Prime Minister set out several goals including reducing the intensity of natural resource exploitation, marine wildlife, and enhance mariculture in appropriate areas. In addition, the Strategy also aims to develop Vietnam's aquaculture industry in a more modern and competitive manner, enhance the ability to deeply participate in global value chains, and at the same time connect stakeholders to exploit the potential and use of ocean resources responsibly and sustainably.

Director-General of the Fishery Directorate Tran Dinh Luan affirmed that the actual lessons in adopting high technology and marine aquaculture investment from Norway firms would be precious for Vietnam to sustainably develop the field on an industrial scale.

Following the webinar, a back-to-back Signing Ceremony of a Letter of Intent between the Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Fisheries and MARD was also launched. It was considered a further move to strengthen the cooperation of Vietnam and Norway in the field.

Grete Lochen expressed happiness to witness the signing. “Sustainable development of the marine aquaculture industry on an industrial scale has great potential. However, it requires technological thinking and green solutions. The cooperation will help us succeed. I believe that Norway and Norwegian businesses are willing to cooperate and share.”, Lochen said.

For his part, Deputy Minister of MARD Tien said that on the basis of the signing, the two sides will facilitate and support the management agencies, research units, and enterprises of the two countries to continue strengthening cooperation in the fields of fisheries and aquaculture development such as sharing and supporting on law enforcement and technological innovation; strengthing the capacity of building and research cooperation; promoting trade and investment cooperation of the private sector; encouraging the exchange of business delegations and participation in fairs/exhibitions on aquaculture development.