Vietnam – Australia Agribusiness Research and Innovation Showcase 2016
Australian Universities and Agribusiness Researchers to Discuss Enhanced Collaboration with Vietnam
An Australian delegation of universities, research institutes and companies is visiting Vietnam to showcase Australian agribusiness research capability and share knowledge with Vietnamese counterparts. On Tuesday 26 April the delegation will take part in the Vietnam – Australia Agribusiness Research and Innovation showcase.
The showcasing event organised by the Australian Government in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) will highlight Australian expertise and excellence in agribusiness, education and research; while providing a platform for two-way discussion, institutional linkages and research collaboration.
Discussion between the Australian and Vietnamese partners will focus on two key themes: Food security and safety; and developing sustainable value chains and management systems.
HE Mr Hugh Borrowman, the Australian Ambassador to Vietnam said “Both Australia and Vietnam are global agricultural players; and the Australian Embassy in Vietnam hope to deepen the relationship and build strong strategic partnerships”
Australia is recognised internationally for the productivity of its agriculture sector and the high quality and integrity of the food it exports. In addition to its food production capabilities, Australia has earned a global reputation for the quality of its international delivery of education and research.
The Ambassador noted “Despite only having less than half a percent of the world population, Australia accounts for nearly 3% of the world’s research output. Australia’s focus on research in the agriculture and food sectors is a major contributor to improving global productivity, addressing challenges in climate change and improving food sustainability and long-term food security. It’s something our communities and our people demand and something the Australian agribusiness sector is passionate about”
Australia’s reputation for leadership and innovation in agricultural production has been built on pioneering work in critical fields of research in agriculture and food production. Research spans food security and sustainability, adaptive farming techniques, disease resistant and higher yield crops, IVF and embryo transfer technologies, genomics, precision agriculture technologies and soil, water and other sustainable resource management.
Agriculture is a critical component of Vietnam’s economic development and food security. The sector generates approximately 20 per cent of Vietnam’s GDP and makes up nearly one third of the country’s exports. It also accounts for over half of the labour force. The Government of Vietnam has set a target of 3.5 per cent annual growth in agriculture to 2020 which, in the context of increasingly open regional and global trade, can only be achieved with modernisation and private sector investment.
Australia already has deep connections with the Vietnamese agricultural sector through ACIAR's long engagement in agricultural research, institutional partnerships and scholarships related to agriculture and, the booming value of two-way agricultural trade - currently around US$2.6 billion. Vietnam is Australia’s sixth largest agricultural export market overall.
Vietnam is an important partner to Australia in the ASEAN region in particular after both countries signed the Trans Pacific Partnership.
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For more information please contact:
Ms Hien Le, Education Manager
Mobile: 0933 665 281
Email: [email protected]