JULY-AUGUST. 2026 | @ AGROBiz

CAPITAL MEETS OPPORTUNITY: Cooperation is widening beyond traditional trade, with investment, technology and resource development emerging as key areas of focus.( Photo from: Ministry of Finance)

Vietnam’ s Minister of Finance Ngo Van Tuan raised the push during a meeting with Australian Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell in Canberra on Aug 11.

Tuan called for stronger links between Vietnamese businesses and Australian companies with the capital, technology and experience needed to invest in Vietnam, particularly in agriculture, livestock and mineral processing.

He pointed to SunRice’ s operations in Vietnam as an example of how Australian expertise can contribute across the agricultural value chain, from varietal improvement and production to harvesting and processing.

A SYMBOL OF GROWTH: Minister Tuan presenting a gift to Minister Farrell.( Photo from: Ministry of Finance)

Vietnam hopes to attract more investments of this nature as it works toward higher-value, more technology-driven economic growth.

The country also sees potential to deepen cooperation in rare earths, nickel and other critical minerals, particularly in exploration, mining and downstream processing. Tuan encouraged Australia to connect Vietnamese partners with companies that can provide advanced technologies and long-term investment.

Energy remains another priority. Vietnam needs additional energy resources to support economic expansion while increasing its use of renewable sources and developing related infrastructure.

The country wants to maintain its position as a major importer of

Australian coal while exploring opportunities in gas-fired generation,

connectivity.

The discussions come against a backdrop of rapidly expanding bilateral trade. Trade between the two countries reached around US $ 8.2 billion in the first half of 2026, up 21.9 per cent from the previous year.

Tuan said Vietnam aims to double bilateral investment and lift two-way trade to US $ 20 billion under the Enhanced Economic Engagement Strategy.

“ Vietnam is ready to serve as a gateway for Australian businesses to access the Southeast Asia market of more than 700 million people. We hope the relevant agencies of both countries will strengthen connections, introduce specific investment opportunities and support businesses from both sides in expanding their operations in each other’ s markets,” he said.

Australia has also committed A $ 69 million in grant assistance to Vietnam for 2026-27, supporting areas including climate response and infrastructure.

Farrell said Australia was ready to help its companies explore opportunities in Vietnam and welcomed closer cooperation in the priority sectors Hanoi identified.

The two ministers agreed to continue using bilateral economic mechanisms to facilitate business expansion, with the fifth Vietnam- Australia Economic Partnership Meeting scheduled for Hanoi in November providing another platform to advance cooperation.

THE Philippines could expand its presence in the international organic market by tapping the growing demand for certified produce, but stronger supply chains and better logistics will be needed to move more farmers into the sector.

International Affairs at Naturland e. V Managing Director Marco Schlüter said organic farming was no longer confined to a small group of producers and consumers, but was increasingly being viewed as part of the response to food security and environmental challenges.

“ The world is going organic- and the Philippines is well placed to shape it. Organics reduce the dependence on costly imported pesticides and fertilisers while building long-term food security,” he said.

Schlüter said the Philippines has potential across several commodities, including coconut, mango, banana, coffee and aquaculture products, while ube( purple yam) could also emerge as an organic export opportunity.“ Definitely there is a potential in ube

( purple yam) and coconut.”

However, Schlüter pointed to logistics and a fragmented value chain as obstacles that need to be addressed if organic production is to expand at scale.

Naturland, a Germany-based international organic farmers’ organisation, has worked with the Philippine sector since the 1990s, including helping local producers meet certification requirements. Its first certified Philippine product was muscovado sugar.

The organisation is now continuing efforts to strengthen consumer confidence and market access through the European Organic – Nurturing Every Juan campaign, a three-year initiative promoting certified organic farming and European organic standards.

More than 180 representatives from government, farmer organisations, civil society and food-sector groups attended European Organic Day Philippines 2026

A SHIFT IS UNDERWAY: The organic sector is moving beyond its traditional niche.

in Pasay on Aug 6.

Schlüter said the initiative draws on Europe’ s experience in developing an established organic ecosystem.

“ Europe has spent more than four decades building its organic ecosystem, including its standards and guarantee system. We want to share that experience and raise awareness of organic food and farming,” he said.

With demand and crop potential already present, strengthening the connections between farmers, certification bodies and markets could determine how far the Philippine organic sector progresses.- @ AGROBiz