VCCI and USSEC promote sustainable soybean export cooperation

On May 13, at the VCCI headquarters, Vice President of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), Chairman of the Vietnam Business Council for Sustainable Development (VBCSD-VCCI) Nguyen Quang Vinh had a working session with Mr. Timothy Loh, Regional Director of Southeast Asia & Oceania of the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC).

The meeting was an opportunity for the two sides to discuss strategic cooperation opportunities in the field of soybean export, promoting sustainable agriculture and strengthening bilateral trade relations.

Mr. Nguyen Quang Vinh highly appreciated the role of USSEC, an organization that has been operating in Vietnam since 1995 and is currently an associate member of VBCSD; and introduced key activities that VBCSD is implementing, including the Vietnam Corporate Sustainability Forum (VCSF), the Program on Benchmarking and Announcing Sustainable Companies in Vietnam and the Corporate Sustainability Index (CSI), while emphasizing the vision of building a responsible business community equipped with  enhanced resilience and recovery capability in the face of global challenges, thereby aiming at increasing the local business community’s competitiveness amidst their international economic integration. 

In addition, VCCI Vice President said that VBCSD has implemented new strategic initiatives such as: Promoting Sustainable Industrial Parks in Vietnam, Establishing Center for Consulting and Supporting Businesses for Green Transition (Net Zero Hub), and working groups on green finance, green transformation, and ESG practices. He affirmed that this is an important stage for VBCSD to transform itself, accompanying the Government and the business community more effectively on the journey of green and inclusive development. He also extended an invitation to Mr. Timothy Loh to attend the VCSF 2025, the flagship event marking the 30th anniversary of VBCSD that will tentatively be held this August. 

To strengthen cooperation in the coming time and promote the expansion of export potential of soybean products in particular and sustainable products in general, Mr. Nguyen Quang Vinh suggested that VCCI and USSEC coordinate to organize seminars, workshops, conferences... to share information on market potential, partners, export opportunities, and connect Vietnamese and U.S. businesses.

On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of USSEC's presence in Vietnam, the two sides discussed in depth cooperation opportunities in the soybean value chain, especially in the context of Vietnam promoting green transformation and sustainable agricultural development.

Mr. Nguyen Quang Vinh also proposed that USSEC consider initiating an initiative or cooperation project with the participation of VCCI/VBCSD and domestic partners, focusing on improving the supply chain and improving the quality of animal feed ingredients and processed foods from US soybeans in Vietnam. Mr. Timothy Loh shares that USSEC has actively promoted technical support, transferring nutrition and sustainability solutions in the livestock, aquaculture, and food industries in Vietnam. In particular, U.S. soybean products have lower carbon emissions during cultivation, land use conversion, processing or transportation.

On June 18-19, USSEC Vietnam will organize a 30th Anniversary Conference in Vietnam with the theme “Promoting Food and Feed Production in Vietnam – Sustainable Solutions with U.S. Soybeans”. The event is expected to gather hundreds of delegates and expand policy dialogue and business-to-business cooperation. Mr. Timothy also expressed his hope to welcome Mr. Nguyen Quang Vinh to attend the conference, as well as explore more cooperation opportunities.