Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan and Italian Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry Francesco Lollobrigida signed an MoU in Hanoi on March 1 to boost cooperation between the two countries in the agricultural field.

The signing ceremony was held on the sidelines of talks between the two ministers.

Vietnam wants to promote cooperation between the two countries in agriculture, Minister Hoan said, noting that agricultural trade is a highlight of bilateral cooperation.

Vietnam exported $500 million worth of agricultural products to Italy in 2023, with key items including seafood, coffee, pepper, cashew nuts, fruit and vegetables, wood, and rubber.

Mr. Lollobrigida said Italy is committed to supporting Vietnam in sustainably developing its forestry and fisheries industries.

Italy hopes to foster agricultural trade between the two countries and considers Vietnam an important partner in the field, he said.

It is willing to cooperate with Vietnam in technology transfer and the construction of sustainable agricultural production models for exports, he said.