During the meeting, Deputy Minister Hoang Trung determined that the data on the two-way trade turnover between the two countries is still modest and not commensurate with agricultural potential.

The bilateral trade between Vietnam and Iran reached 124.5 million USD in 2021, a 43 percent increase from 2020, and will surpass 100 million USD in 2022.

"I recognize that there is still a great deal of capacity for complementary items on both parties. The two parties must establish a swift and efficient cooperation mechanism to promote the import and export of goods, with a particular emphasis on the agro-forestry-fishery products that are each nation's forte. The two-way trade volume will soon reach 2 billion U.S. dollars, confirming the expectation of the two nations' top leaders", said Deputy Minister Hoang Trung, 

In addition, the specialized Departments of Plant Protection and Animal Health of the two countries have recently actively exchanged a number of topics pertaining to import and export procedures for agricultural, forestry, and fishery products in order to open the market for commodities in which the two nations have comparative advantages and complement each other.

The Deputy Minister was also pleased with the proposals by specialized agencies to eliminate technical barriers in order to promote imports and exports between the two countries.

Iran agreed to import four varieties of fresh fruits from Vietnam, including mango, coconut, pineapple, and banana, in addition to rice, cashew nuts, pepper, tea, herbal tea, coffee, dried fruit, honey, etc. Iran also proposed exporting poultry feet to Vietnam at the same time.

In the opposite direction, the Plant Protection Department of Vietnam completed the risk assessment procedure for fresh Iranian apples in 2020, and the two parties agreed to conduct the next procedures as quickly as possible.

"We recognize that both nations are signatories to the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), so the potential for cooperation in this field is enormous. In addition, the aquaculture industry has a great deal of cooperation potential, particularly in freshwater and cold water aquaculture", according to Deputy Minister Hoang Trung.

During the meeting, Deputy Minister Hoang Trung proposed a number of solutions to problems and outlined the next measures to advance cooperation between the two countries in a variety of disciplines.

PRA must evaluate Iran's information and regulations regarding the licensing of agricultural imports from Vietnam. The Deputy Minister suggested Iran provide these details.

According to Deputy Minister Hoang Trung, through the exchange between the Trade Working Group, the two sides should encourage suitable and potential associations and businesses of the two countries to participate in bilateral trade; facilitate and speed up the implementation of import inspection, supervision, and certification procedures, eliminating unnecessary procedures in order to promote bilateral trade in agricultural products and each country's strengths.

The head of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development also proposed that the two sides strengthen the exchange of up-to-date information on bilateral markets, trade, and economic policies, thereby creating favorable conditions for Vietnamese and Iranian businesses to pursue more opportunities for cooperation.

In addition to expanding cooperation in the areas of industrial production and processing of agricultural products, and taking into account the possibility of conducting joint research projects on organic farming and modern technology, it is suggested that Iranian companies invest in or form joint ventures in agricultural production areas in Vietnam.

During the bilateral meeting, Deputy Minister Hoang Trung emphasized the significance of Working Groups within the framework of the Vietnam - Iran Joint Committee on Trade and Economic Cooperation, chaired by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development subcommittees, particularly the roles and responsibilities of each Working Group, which contribute to promoting and expanding trade between the two countries, particularly trade in agriculture, forestry, and fishery.

In this manner and to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two nations, Deputy Minister Hoang Trung announced that the 10th meeting of the People's Committee will be held in Vietnam in the fourth quarter of 2023.

On the Iranian side, Iran's Deputy Agriculture Minister Mohammad Mehdi Boroumandi agreed with his Vietnamese counterpart's proposal to increase trade in agricultural products, particularly those of the two countries' strengths, thus contributing to the improvement of agricultural bilateral trade between the two nations.

The Iranian Deputy Minister of Agriculture acknowledged that the import and export of agricultural products between the two nations via a third country is still substantial. Therefore, he suggested that the two ministries consider cooperating in order to avoid this intermediary stage. In addition, the Iranian deputy minister suggested that barter trade be considered because it is an efficient method for ensuring sustainable trade.

Regarding the export of fresh apples from Iran to Vietnam, Deputy Minister Boroumandi stated that he would instruct specialized agencies to collaborate with the Vietnamese side in order to complete the necessary procedures to open the market and deliver products to Vietnam as soon as possible.

Deputy Minister Mohammad Mehdi Boroumandi stated, "Iran is a country with an abundance of high-quality livestock products that have been rigorously evaluated by the veterinary authority." Vietnam needs to import livestock products for which the quality can be guaranteed. The Iranian Deputy Minister requests the support of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for the export of Iranian poultry feet to Vietnam.

In addition, Iran has many advantages when it comes to producing high-quality pears, saffron, nuts, and preserved fruits that are suitable for the Vietnamese market.

On the same day, late in the afternoon, the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam and the Deputy Minister of Agriculture of Iran signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in plant quarantine and a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of veterinary medicine. This event is the centerpiece of National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue's visit and is of great interest to the leaders of both countries. It will create numerous opportunities for trade and investment cooperation in the agricultural sector between the two nations.