KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 20 — Promoting cooperation with Malaysia in the halal food industry is one of the priority cooperation areas that Vietnam seeks to further enhance between the two countries, Vietnamese Ambassador to Malaysia Tran Viet Thai has said.

In a recent interview with Vietnam News Agency (VNA) in Malaysia, the diplomat said his embassy has conducted many activities to create a long-term foundation for economic cooperation between the two countries, focusing on building halal standards for Vietnamese farm produce towards exporting products of this kind to Malaysia, the Middle East and other Muslim countries.

According to the diplomat, Malaysia boasts strength in providing halal certificates, training, and building halal product chain links. It asserted its position as the leading halal hub in the world in 2020 when the annual export value of halal products reached US$7.5 billion (RM35 billion).

The embassy has supported Vietnamese localities and enterprises to join exhibitions and fairs to popularise their products, and virtually connect with Malaysian partners.

It has also hosted events on culture and tourism in Malaysia, offering good chances for Vietnamese airlines, travel agencies, and hotel service providers to introduce tourism products in the country, according to VNA.

He said the embassy said it will also continue to support the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho, and Vinh Phuc and Ben Tre provinces in connecting with partners in Malaysia, as well as seeking new cooperation with Malaysian partners in other fields which the country has expertise in such as energy and e-waste treatment. — Bernama