Dragon fruits for export (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – The recentratification of the European Union-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) by theEuropean Parliament (EP) is expected to help with the market expansion ofVietnamese farm produce, including fruits and vegetables, in the face of thecoronavirus outbreak disease (COVID-19), according to insiders.
China has always been one of the biggestimporters of Vietnamese agricultural produce. In 2019, Vietnam exported 3.74billion USD worth of fruits and vegetables, 65 percent of which went to China.
However, since the Lunar New Year, China hastemporarily closed its border gates due to the spread of the acute respiratorydisease caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), causing difficulties forVietnamese exporters.
In that context, the ratification of the EVFTAby the EP on February 12 has significant meaning.
According to Vietnamese Minister of Industry andTrade Tran Tuan Anh, the EU is one of Vietnam’s most important trade partners.
Once the agreement takes effect, the EU willeliminate import duties on almost all tariff lines for Vietnam. This will be anexcellent chance for Vietnamese agricultural businesses to boost exports to themarket of over 500 million people, he said.
He advised businesses, especially small-andmedium-sized firms, to study opportunities and challenges when making inroadsinto the market, and strive to improve the quality and design of products, andensure rule of origin, technical standards, and food safety and hygiene./.
VNA
