H.E. Petipong Pungbun Na Ayudhya, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Thailand had a courtesy call to H.E. Cac Duc Phat, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Vietnam on 12 March 2015 in Hanoi, Vietnam.
The two Ministers discussed issues on the current natural rubber (NR) market situation. Vietnamagreed to cooperate with Thailand, Indonesia andMalaysia under the umbrella of International Tripartite Rubber Council (ITRC) and IRCo on sustainable development of NR for the benefits of the smallholders/farmers. With Vietnam on board, the cooperation account for 70 percent of global NR production.
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam expressed commitment to send delegates to participate in the technical committee meeting under ITRC to discuss the development of the establishment of a Regional Rubber Market on 1 April 2015 in Thailand.
As a measure to improve NR price, Vietnamhighlighted its policy to cut NR production by reducing its tapping activities, managing NR planting and expansion as well as encouraging farmers to switch to other crops. In addition to that, Vietnam is willing to lend support on the implementation of ITRC/IRCo’s measures and work plan to improve NR price at remunerative and fair level for both producers and consumers.
– IRCo
