Seminar explores business opportunities in Vietnam

The event, which was held on the Missouri State University campus, featured presentations by representatives from the Vietnamese Embassy in Washington, D.C., and the Chicago offices of the Food Export Association and the Export Import Bank of the United States.

Also on hand to share their experiences in the Vietnam market were representatives from Clayton AgriMarketing and North Pacific Lumber, as well as retired international executive Pedro Pantoja.

“Vietnam’s purchases of U.S. agricultural and forestry product continue to increase,” said MDA Director Katie Smith in a news release.

“Vietnam has the potential to be an important market for Missouri’s lumber, cotton, grains, feed ingredients, food incredients and processed foods.”

Annualized growth

Between 2006 and 2007, Missouri’s exports to Vietnam increased 75 percent, with chemicals leading the way, followed by processed foods and leather-related products, the release said.

In March, Smith led a feed-related mission to Vietnam at the request of Gov. Matt Blunt in order to help Missouri companies and suppliers develop sales to the country’s rapidly expanding feed industry.

“Vietnam has a fast-growing economy in Asia, only second to China, and the (United States) exported a record $624 million in agricultural, fish and forest products to the country last year,” Smith added.

Companies in the manufacturing and logistics sectors were among those represented at the Springfield seminar.