Hanoi (VNA) – An agriculture business association between Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) needs to be established to facilitate bilateral cooperation in this field, Deputy Ministerof Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien told at a regular press conferenceheld by the ministry on August 1.

According to Tien, implementing a Prime Minister dispatch on supporting businesses in exporting black pepper, cinnamon, anise, and cashewnuts to the UAE market, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development(MARD) will hold discussions with relevant ministries and agencies to set up anassociation that links Vietnamese farm produce exporters with importers anddistributors in the UAE to facilitate information exchange, preventfraudulent activities, and address trade disputes.

Nguyen Nhu Cuong, Director of the Plant Cultivation Department under the MARD, also stated that the establishment of such an association is needed forthe development of various industries, especially those in special markets.

The ministry will collaboratewith industry associations to provide support in terms of information and legalmatters, enabling them to leverage their strength, truly becoming bridgesbetween producers, traders and exporters, he said.

Industry associations serveas an "extended arm" of the state management agencies, acting as aliaison between the authorities and the relevant industries, Cuong said.

It also playsa critical role in providing feedback on mechanisms and policies to the statemanagement agencies, Cuong added.

Previously, theVietnam Pepper Association (VPA) informed that five containers of black pepper,anise, and cashew nuts worth 517,000 USD exported to the UAE were suspected ofbeing involved in fraudulent and deceptive trade practices.

Four containers out ofthe shipment were removed from the port without payment and the other, which was planned to arrive at an UAE port onJuly 26, is facing problems as the original documents have been stolen./.