European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Phil Hogan will lead a high-level mission to Vietnam from November 2 to 4 to sound out trade opportunities.

According to the EU Delegation to Vietnam, participants in the delegation will represent 41 food and beverage firms from countries like Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, and the UK.

They are expected to promote a wide range of agricultural products, food and beverages such as fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, poultry, processed food, milk and other dairy products, and wine and spirits.

The visit comes at an opportune time since the two sides have concluded negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) and expect to sign it soon.

The commissioner and the participating businesses will join a seminar on the EU-Vietnam FTA and trade opportunities for both sides.

Senior envoys, ambassadors and trade officials from the embassies of EU countries in Vietnam, and domestic customers and importers will meet. The delegation will also visit the retail systems of local and foreign investors to gain an insight into the Vietnam market.

They are to join a seminar in HCMC on quality food concepts such as Geographical Indications and business opportunities in Vietnam. In addition, a business forum will be held to help business delegations have necessary information to access the market, local regulations and laws, as well as Vietnamese consumer trends and tastes for high-quality food products.

Meetings on the sidelines of the event will take place between the European businesses and Vietnam’s exporters, distributors and retailers.

SGT